IELTS Reading main_idea Practice
What is the primary argument made by the author in the passage?
Question type: multiple choice · Difficulty: intermediate
- A. Ancient trade was primarily driven by the demand for luxury goods like silk and amber.
- B. The economic benefits of trade routes were less significant than their role in spreading ideas and culture.
- C. The Silk Road was more culturally significant than the Trans-Saharan or Amber roads.
- D. Intermediary communities like the Sogdians were the only agents of cultural exchange.
Explanation Preview
The passage repeatedly emphasizes this point. Paragraph A states that to view routes as 'mere commercial conduits is to overlook their more profound and enduring legacy.' The conclusion in Paragraph G reiterates that the 'most lasting impact... was not in the wealth they generated, but in the cultural tapestry they wove.'