16Hit1600
Information and IdeasHardCentral idea of a literary text

Information and Ideas practice question

The following text is from a novel. Every spring Ines re-read her father's one letter from the war, and every spring it was shorter than she remembered, as if the years had been quietly editing it, leaving her more and more to supply herself.

Which choice best states the central idea of the text?

  1. A. Ines's memory of the letter has grown beyond its actual words, so the real letter seems to shrink each year.Correct
  2. B. The letter is being damaged by handling.
  3. C. Ines's father wrote many letters.
  4. D. Ines has stopped reading the letter.

Answer: A. Ines's memory of the letter has grown beyond its actual words, so the real letter seems to shrink each year.

Shorter than remembered; she supplies the rest.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The letter is being damaged by handling.
'As if': the editing is in her memory.
C. Ines's father wrote many letters.
'One letter'.
D. Ines has stopped reading the letter.
She reads it every spring.

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