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Information and Ideas practice question

In 1900 the United States employed more than a thousand lighthouse keepers. Automation began in the 1920s, and by 1990 only a single staffed lighthouse remained. The keepers' work — trimming lamps, winding clockwork, rowing out to rescue sailors — passed to sensors, timers and the coast guard.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. Over the twentieth century, automation gradually replaced lighthouse keepers.Correct
  2. B. Lighthouse keepers mainly rescued sailors.
  3. C. Lighthouses no longer exist in the United States.
  4. D. Automation of lighthouses began in 1990.

Answer: A. Over the twentieth century, automation gradually replaced lighthouse keepers.

The text tracks keepers from more than a thousand in 1900 to one in 1990 and says their tasks 'passed to sensors, timers and the coast guard'. Its point is the replacement of people by machines over that century.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Lighthouse keepers mainly rescued sailors.
Rescuing sailors is listed as one of several tasks, not as the main point.
C. Lighthouses no longer exist in the United States.
The lighthouses remain; it's the KEEPERS who were replaced.
D. Automation of lighthouses began in 1990.
The text says automation began in the 1920s. 1990 is when the last staffed lighthouse remained.

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