Question

Which statement best summarizes the central idea of the passage?

Cities with the best defenses have little territory around them.
Strong fortifications will not deter a resolute army.
A prince must abandon his city during an attack.
A prince should reassure his subjects during an attack.

Answer 1

I can’t choose the best summary without seeing the passage. Please paste the passage (or give more context).

If you want to pick the answer yourself, here’s a quick way to decide:
- Find the main claim the author repeats or supports throughout the passage (not a small detail).
- Match that claim to the answer choice that restates it most broadly.
- Eliminate choices that are too specific or not supported by the passage.

Quick guide to the options:
- “Cities with the best defenses have little territory around them.” — a factual, specific claim about geography/size.
- “Strong fortifications will not deter a resolute army.” — general claim that forts don’t stop determined attackers.
- “A prince must abandon his city during an attack.” — specific prescriptive action.
- “A prince should reassure his subjects during an attack.” — prescriptive about behavior toward subjects.

Paste the passage and I’ll pick the best choice and explain why.