Multiple choice

Directions: The passage given below is followed by four alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage. Key in the number of the option you choose as your answer.

Yes, but someone will say to me that this design of making use of oneself as a subject to write about would be excusable in great and famous men, who by their reputation had aroused some desire to know them. That is certain, I confess it, and know very well that an artisan will scarcely lift his eyes from his work to see a man of the common sort, whereas men forsake workshops and stores to see a great and prominent person arrive in a city. It will become any other to make himself known except him who has qualities worthy of imitation and whose life and opinions may serve as a model.

  1. People tend to emulate famous men and thus are eager to read about them.

  2. Great and famous men inspire others through their writings.

  3. A man of ordinary bearings holds little privilege to publicity.

  4. All famous men have a social obligation to share their life stories.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  1. True, however, this does not capture the essence of the paragraph.
    1. True, however, the passage is a comparison between the famous and the commoner, so it does not capture the essence.
    2. True. The paragraph says that it does not befit a commoner to make himself a subject of writing as there is nothing of interest in him worth imitating or reading about.
    3. Not true. Nowhere in the passage has it been indicated that famous men have a social obligation or any duty towards fellow men. On the contrary, they are just excusable for having made their lives public through their writings and inviting its attention.

Keep practicing — related questions