Question

Read this excerpt from a passage.

"Starting in 2007, a dramatic drop in demand sent the United States Postal Service (USPS) over a financial cliff. Because of the rise of digital communication, Americans were simply no longer mailing cards, letters, flyers, invitations, announcements, bills, statements, and solicitations as they had in the past. The volume of U.S. mail peaked in 2006 at 213 billion pieces, but in 2007 the numbers quickly began to drop. Since 2007, the total volume of all mail has dropped 25 percent and since 2001 the volume of first-class mail has declined by nearly one-third.

“In 1987, the average U.S. household received 1.6 pieces of personal correspondence each week, but by 2012 that number had dropped to 0.7 pieces. Most significantly, in that same time period, the number of handwritten letters plummeted 80 percent. It’s not just personal correspondence that has dwindled; more financial statements, bills, and the checks that follow them have become digital every year. In 2002, about 75 percent of all bills were paid by mail; by 2012, that number had decreased to 40 percent and the trend continues. Most Americans pay at least one bill each month online. As many businesses offer incentives such as gift cards or discounts for going paperless, the paper bill, paper check, and paper bank statement are becoming fossils of a bygone age."



Which of these is the best main idea for this excerpt?


Main Idea: Digital communication is the main cause of the drop in demand for the services the USPS provides.

Major Detail: Americans do not mail cards, letters, and personal correspondence as they have in the past.

Major Detail: Digital financial statements, bills, and checks are increasing each year.


Main Idea: People have stopped writing letters by hand; instead they use email or social media to connect with others.

Major Detail: Since 2007, the total volume of all mail has dropped by 25 percent.

Major Detail: Since 2001, the volume of first-class mail has declined by nearly one-third.


Main Idea: The volume of mail peaked in 2006 because of the increase in the adult population that year.

Major Detail: Starting in 2007, a dramatic drop in demand sent the USPS over a financial cliff.

Major Detail: In 2002, about 75 percent of all bills were paid by mail.


Main Idea: Many banks and organizations are working to reduce their paper usage.

Major Detail: Most Americans pay at least one bill each month online.

Major Detail: Discounts for going paperless are making paper bank correspondence fossils of a bygone age.

Answer 1

The best choice is the first one:

Main Idea: Digital communication is the main cause of the drop in demand for the services the USPS provides.

Both major details match the passage (people no longer mail cards/letters as before; financial statements/bills/checks are becoming digital). The excerpt repeatedly links the USPS decline to the rise of digital communication and reduced paper mail.