Question

the american college system is deeply rooted in the past. it will be better understood if we trace briefly its historic connection with ancient and european seats of learning. higher education has been promoted among all great nations. flourishing colleges were founded among ancient people, in the kingdoms of judah and israel, schools of the prophets were located at bethel, gibeah, gilgal, jericho and naza the academy of athens, the museum of alexandria, the athenæum of rome were once centers of intellectual activity and spread their influence over the civilized world.
the greek race especially commands our attention for its activity in matters relating to higher education. the academy of plato flourished for nine hundred years. the schools of athens are noted for their great and permanent influence in awakening thought and shedding the light of their teaching among the nations of the world. \so charged,\ says cardinal newman, \is the moral atmosphere of the with greek civilization, that down to this day those tribes are said to show to most advantage which can claim relation of place and kin with greek colonies established two thousand years ago.\ the influences of the scholastic halls of plato and aristotle span the centuries with the light and power.
(from colleges in america by john marshall barker, ph.d.)
which sentence from the passage makes a broad generalization?

1. the american college system is deeply rooted in the past.
2. higher education has been promoted among all great nations.
3. flourishing colleges were founded among ancient peoples.
4. the academy of plato flourished for nine hundred years.

Explanation:

A broad generalization makes a sweeping statement about a large group without specific evidence for all members. Option 2 says "Higher education has been promoted among all great nations"—"all" is a sweeping term, assuming every great nation promoted higher education, which is a broad claim. Option 1 is about the American college system’s roots (specific context), Option 3 refers to "ancient peoples" but with some historical examples later, and Option 4 is a specific fact about the Academy of Plato. So Option 2 is the broad generalization.

Answer:

1. Higher education has been promoted among all great nations.