Question

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; and thus they take care by all possible means to render gold and silver of no esteem . . .

–Utopia,
Thomas More

Which details develop the central idea by giving examples of ways the Utopians make gold and silver less valuable? Check all that apply.

The Utopians drink from glass cups.
The Utopians make chamber-pots out of gold.
The Utopians have public halls and private houses
The Utopians use gold to chain enslaved people.
The Utopians work hard to make gold and silver seem less valuable.

Answer 1

Selections:
- The Utopians drink from glass cups. (Yes — shows they avoid using gold for dining.)
- The Utopians make chamber-pots out of gold. (Yes — using gold for toilets demeans it.)
- The Utopians use gold to chain enslaved people. (Yes — using gold for dishonorable objects lowers its esteem.)

Do not select:
- The Utopians have public halls and private houses. (Not an example of devaluing metals.)
- The Utopians work hard to make gold and silver seem less valuable. (This restates the central idea rather than giving a specific example.)