Multiple choice

The central idea of the passage is

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and choose the best answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

At this time, the economy of India is facing a very difficult time. We have been witnessing slow growth along with a shrinking industrial base for the past two months. Wholesale price inflation has risen to 5.8% and the rupee has been sharply losing its value. Currently it is valued at approximately 60 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar, where two years ago it was valued at approximately 50 to 1. This has led to increasing prices in raw materials and fuel which is passed on to the consumer. As such, pretty much all Indians have much to be concerned about as well as be upset over. However, this really isn’t the biggest issue that is faced by India. The driving force behind these issues is what is at stake and poses as the nation’s biggest challenge.
This driving force is corruption as well as other dishonest behavior from our leaders. It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society. As a result, the ordinary person is left feeling confused and in a state of despair. Even worse, it breeds a sense of apathy among the common man; but much worse than this, it engenders a feeling of complacency. This sense of complacency further encourages the behavior and motives behind corruption. As is evident, the economy is not doing well, but if we can look beyond this fact to the eroding values that is held by the different factions within the government, we should begin to understand that the reason why the economy is not doing well is due to the failure of trust held by those in power.
So far, the outlook on the economy is not good. Conditions are bleak and any growth is hampered by a slowdown as well as a devaluation of the rupee. However, this gloomy and pessimistic outlook is not proportionate and is fueled largely by the disenchantment with politics as usual.

  1. that problems with the economy can be traced to corruption in the government

  2. that when corruption is everywhere, people become complacent

  3. that the rupee has fallen because of corruption in the government

  4. corruption in the government has caused the slow down of industry

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Correct – This is the central idea of the passage and is the correct answer.

(2) Incorrect – This is stated in the passage, but this is not the central idea. The central idea is that the problems with the economy can be traced to corruption in the government.

(3) Incorrect – This is true according to the passage, but this is not the central idea. The central idea is that the problems with the economy can be traced to corruption in the government. (4) Incorrect – This is stated, but this is not the central idea. The central idea is that the problems with the economy can be traced to corruption in the government.