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QuizMultiple Choice

Central Ideas and Context: Utopia — Quiz

Question 2 • Senior English

Read the excerpt from Utopia . I never saw a clearer instance of the opposite impressions that different customs make on people than I observed in the ambassadors of the Anemolians, who came to Amaurot when I was there. As they came to treat of affairs of great consequence, the deputies from several towns met together to wait for their coming. The ambassadors of the nations that lie near Utopia, knowing their customs, and that fine clothes are in no esteem among them, that silk is despised, and gold is a badge of infamy, used to come very modestly clothed; but the Anemolians, lying more remote, and having had little commerce with them, understanding that they were coarsely clothed, and all in the same manner, took it for granted that they had none of those fine things among them of which they made no use; and they, being a vainglorious rather than a wise people, resolved to set themselves out with so much pomp that they should look like gods, and strike the eyes of the poor Utopians with their splendour. Which is the central idea of this excerpt?

Answer
A
The Utopians are not concerned about dressing fashionably.
B
The Utopians are jealous of the Anemolians’ clothing.
C
The Anemolians do not like wearing gold and silk.
D
The Anemolians are very careful about wearing fine clothes.

Explanation

The excerpt explains that the Utopians do not value fine clothing: they despise silk, regard gold as a badge of infamy, and dress alike in simple clothes. The nearby nations understand this and dress modestly when visiting. The Anemolians misunderstand the Utopians and wear splendid clothes to impress them, so the central idea is that the Utopians are not concerned about dressing fashionably.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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