Flashcards: Main Idea

This passage is adapted from Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser (1901)

The nature of these vast retail combinations, should they ever permanently disappear, will form an interesting chapter in the commercial history of our nation. Such a flowering out of a modest trade principle the world had never witnessed up to that time. They were along the line of the most effective retail organization, with hundreds of stores coordinated into one, and laid out upon the most imposing and economic basis. They were handsome, bustling, successful affairs, with a host of clerks and a swarm of patrons. Carrie passed along the busy aisles, much affected by the remarkable displays of trinkets, dress goods, shoes, stationery, jewelry. Each separate counter was a show place of dazzling interest and attraction. She could not help feeling the claim of each trinket and valuable upon her personally and yet she did not stop. There was nothing there which she could not have used—nothing which she did not long to own. The dainty slippers and stockings, the delicately frilled skirts and petticoats, the laces, ribbons, hair-combs, purses, all touched her with individual desire, and she felt keenly the fact that not any of these things were in the range of her purchase. She was a work-seeker, an outcast without employment, one whom the average employé could tell at a glance was poor and in need of a situation.

The main purpose of the passage is to ________________.

explain why Carrie is currently living in poverty

contrast the prosperity that is represented in the store with Carrie's poor economic condition

argue that department stores should be replaced by smaller specialty stores

explain why Carrie feels such a sense of disgust when she enters the store

All English Language Proficiency Test Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 29 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Want to review English Language Proficiency Test but don’t feel like sitting for a whole test at the moment? Varsity Tutors has you covered with thousands of different English Language Proficiency Test flashcards! Our English Language Proficiency Test flashcards allow you to practice with as few or as many questions as you like. Get some studying in now with our numerous English Language Proficiency Test flashcards.
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors