PART A: Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

Question

A. Historical witch hunts occurred a long time ago and are unlikely to repeat in the modern day.
B. To this day, the Salem witch trials are considered the most extreme example of violent hysteria targeted at a specific group of people.
C. The unreasonable fear that drove the events of Salem makes it a unique and distinct example, contrasting other witch hunts in history.
D. While witch hunts may feel like a rare occurrence, such incidents are not uncommon in history, especially when people are fearful or frustrated.

Answer 1

The statement that identifies the central idea of the text is:

D. While witch hunts may feel like a rare occurrence, such incidents are not uncommon in history, especially when people are fearful or frustrated.

This statement captures a broader perspective on the phenomenon of witch hunts, suggesting that they can occur in various contexts when fear or frustration is prevalent, which aligns with the overarching themes often explored in discussions about historical witch hunts, including the Salem witch trials.