Question

What is the central idea of the first paragraph of The Dark Game?

The Civil War was a short conflict between the North and the South.
The Civil War lasted longer than people at first expected it to last.
During the Civil War, there were many casualties on both sides.
During the Civil War, Fort Sumter was overtaken by the Confederacy.

Answer 1

The Civil War lasted longer than people at first expected it to last.

This choice expresses the main point (a general claim about expectations versus reality). The other options are specific details or events rather than the paragraph’s central idea.