If these metals were laid up in any tower in the kingdom it would raise a jealousy of the Prince and Senate, and give birth to that foolish mistrust into which the people are apt to fall—a jealousy of their intending to sacrifice the interest of the public to their own private advantage. If they should work it into vessels, or any sort of plate, they fear that the people might grow too fond of it, and so be unwilling to let the plate be run down, if a war made it necessary, to employ it in paying their soldiers. To prevent all these inconveniences they have fallen upon an expedient which, as it agrees with their other policy, so is it very different from ours, and will scarce gain belief among us who value gold so much, and lay it up so carefully. They eat and drink out of vessels of earth or glass, which make an agreeable appearance, though formed of brittle materials; while they make their chamber-pots and close-stools of gold and silver, and that not only in their public halls but in their private houses. Of the same metals they likewise make chains and fetters for their slaves, to some of which, as a badge of infamy, they hang an earring of gold, and make others wear a chain or a coronet of the same metal . . . What is the central idea of this excerpt?

Utopians use gold and silver chamber pots.

Enslaved people wear chains of gold and silver.

It is not an honor to wear gold jewelry.

Gold and silver are not valued in Utopia.

The answer is D. "Gold and silver are not valued I utopia"
just took the test.

It's to know your purpose before you read something because a purpose can:

Read the sentences below and complete the instruction that follows. the coach, who has ten years' experience, has agreed to lead our team. the coach who has ten years' experience has agreed to lead our team. select the answer that explains the difference between the two sentences, as well as the purpose each clause serves for the benefit of the reader. a.) the first sentence contains a noun clause that functions as a predicate nominative; therefore, it renames the subject of the sentence for the reader. the second sentence contains an essential adjective clause that modifies the noun "coach"; therefore, it clarifies for the reader which coach is being discussed. b.) the first sentence contains a nonessential adjective clause that modifies the noun "coach"; therefore, it provides the reader with interesting details about the subject of the sentence. the second sentence contains an essential adjective clause that modifies the noun "coach"; therefore, it clarifies for the reader which coach is being discussed. c.) the first sentence contains a nonessential adjective clause that modifies the noun "coach"; therefore, it provides the reader with interesting details about the subject of the sentence. the second sentence contains a noun clause that functions as a predicate nominative; therefore, it renames the subject of the sentence for the reader. d.) the first sentence contains an adverb clause that modifies the verb "agreed"; therefore, it provides the reader with the answer to the question "when." the second sentence contains an essential adjective clause that modifies the noun "coach"; therefore, it clarifies for the reader which coach is being discussed.

Read the quotation from "an occurrence at owl creek bridge." and now he became conscious of a new disturbance. striking through the thought of his dear ones was a sound which he could neither ignore nor understand, a sharp, distinct, metallic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith’s hammer upon the anvil; it had the same ringing quality. he wondered what it was, and whether immeasurably distant or near by—it seemed both. its recurrence was regular, but as slow as the tolling of a death knell. he awaited each stroke with impatience and—he knew not why—apprehension. the intervals of silence grew progressively longer, the delays became maddening. with their greater infrequency the sounds increased in strength and sharpness. they hurt his ear like the thrust of a knife; he feared he would shriek. what he heard was the ticking of his watch. which best describes the effect of the narration in the excerpt? it suggests that the man being executed feels tranquil and at peace. it suggests that the narrator is sympathetic to the man being executed. it suggests that the plot will become less tense as the story continues. it suggests that the story will become more intense and mysterious.