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Difficulty: MediumIdentification of Main Idea and Theme in Unseen Prose

Read the unseen prose passage below carefully:

"In the sun-baked alleys of Agodi, Brother Solomon spent his mornings rhythmically beating copper sheets into reflective pots, a craft handed down through four generations of metalsmiths. But across the narrow gutter, the newly opened Crown Aluminum Works hummed relentlessly, spitting out thousands of stamped basins every hour at a fraction of his price. Passersby no longer stopped to admire the hand-chiseled motifs or the resilience forged into every curve of Solomon's copperware; they hurried toward the cheap, uniform gleam of factory metal. As the heavy fumes of industrial diesel drifted into his quiet workshop, Solomon lowered his hammer, watching the ancient art of his forefathers dissolve into the impatient rhythm of modern commerce."

Which of the following best expresses the central theme of the passage?

  1. The displacement of traditional craftsmanship by modern industrializationAnswer
  2. B
    The complete destruction of African cultural identity by technology
  3. C
    The severe environmental pollution caused by industrial factory fumes
  4. D
    The economic prosperity brought to local communities by mass production

Answer

The displacement of traditional craftsmanship by modern industrialization
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the passage's central conflict: the tension between Solomon's heritage coppersmithing and the factory's mass-produced metalware, showing how industrial advancement undermines traditional craft traditions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary subjects and conflict in the prose excerpt
The narrative contrasts Solomon's hand-carved copper craft with the automated, high-volume production of Crown Aluminum Works.
Determining the core conflict helps isolate the central idea from supporting details.
2
Analyze the tone and ending of the passage
The narrator notes that Solomon lowers his hammer as his ancestral art 'dissolves into the impatient rhythm of modern commerce'.
The conclusion reinforces the thematic emphasis on loss of traditional craft due to industrial progress.
3
Evaluate the choices to distinguish the main theme from overgeneralizations and minor details
Selecting the option stating that traditional craftsmanship is displaced by modern industrialization captures the precise scope of the text.
A main idea must reflect the entire passage without being overly broad or focused on a single minor detail.

Key Concept

Identification of Main Idea and Theme in Unseen Prose
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Identification of Main Idea and Theme in Unseen Prose

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