Question

Difficulty: EasySummary: Distinguishing Essential Ideas from Irrelevancies

Read the passage below carefully and match each statement from the text on the left with its corresponding structural role on the right:

Modern urban transportation systems in West Africa are undergoing a major shift toward mass transit buses to alleviate severe traffic congestion. City planners argue that dedicated bus lanes reduce commute times significantly for thousands of daily workers. In Lagos, for instance, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system carries over 200,000 passengers daily along the Ikorodu corridor. Furthermore, commuters often enjoy air-conditioned buses with free Wi-Fi access during their journeys. Ultimately, prioritizing high-capacity mass public transportation is the primary strategy to resolve urban gridlock.

  • Prioritizing high-capacity mass public transportation is the primary strategy to resolve urban gridlock.Core Thesis / Essential Idea
  • In Lagos, the BRT system carries over 200,000 passengers daily along the Ikorodu corridor.Supporting Evidence / Specific Example
  • Commuters often enjoy air-conditioned buses with free Wi-Fi access during their journeys.Irrelevant / Non-Essential Detail

Answer

The statement regarding prioritizing high-capacity mass transportation matches 'Core Thesis / Essential Idea'. The Lagos BRT statistic matches 'Supporting Evidence / Specific Example'. The mention of Wi-Fi and air conditioning matches 'Irrelevant / Non-Essential Detail'.
The central thesis focuses on prioritizing mass public transit to solve urban traffic congestion. The Lagos BRT example serves as supporting evidence, while passenger amenities represent non-essential details.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary thesis of the text.
The main point of the passage is that mass public transit is essential to solving urban traffic congestion.
A summary must isolate the central conclusion from the evidence used to substantiate it.
2
Differentiate supporting illustrations from the main thesis.
The reference to the Lagos BRT system functions as empirical evidence illustrating the main thesis.
Examples and specific statistics bolster an argument but remain secondary supporting points.
3
Isolate peripheral or non-essential information.
Details about Wi-Fi and air conditioning describe passenger comfort, not the solution to traffic congestion.
Minor descriptive details do not affect the main argument and must be excluded from core summary ideas.

Key Concept

Distinguishing core essential ideas from supporting examples and non-essential details.
Rate this question