Set 6: Central Ideas
Explanation
PASSAGE
The following text describes a historical trade network. The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting the East and West, from the 2nd century BCE to the 18th century. It was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions. While silk was the major trade item from China, many other goods were traded, including textiles, spices, grain, vegetables and fruits, animal hides, tools, wood work, metal work, religious objects, art work, precious stones and much more. Importantly, the Silk Road was also a conduit for the transmission of knowledge, ideas, cultures, and diseases.
What does the text imply about the Silk Road's significance beyond economic trade?
Detailed Explanation
Choice C is the best answer. The text states that the Silk Road was central to 'cultural, political, and religious interactions' and was a 'conduit for the transmission of knowledge, ideas, cultures, and diseases.' This broadly covers the non-economic significance, matching Choice C.
Choice A is incorrect because military conquest is not mentioned.
Choice D is incorrect because the text says 'many other goods were traded' besides silk.
Choice B is incorrect because the text says it connected the East and West, promoting interaction. Remember that supporting details help prove the central idea but are not the main point themselves. The author's central idea should be broad enough to encompass the entire passage while still being specific enough to be meaningful. Ask yourself what the author most wants you to understand.
Key Evidence:
• "interactions between these regions"
• "conduit for the transmission of knowledge, ideas, cultures, and diseases"
Why others are wrong: A (Unsupported - text discusses trade and interaction), D (Contradicts text - lists many other goods), B (Contradicts text - it connected regions).
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