Question

select the correct text in the passage
which detail best develops the central idea?

the footprints of time
by charles bancroft
(excerpt from \section vi. the roman republic\)

the romans, more than any other people of ancient times, understood how to establish a well - ordered state. respect for order and law among them was very great. the idea of a government with a definite constitution, which the rulers should always respect, and which should be an adequate protection to the people against oppression, had never occurred to any of the asiatic nations. . . .

she rome had a genius for producing and preserving a constitution, adding to it by slow degrees, maintaining checks and balances that preserved the machinery in working order, and rendered it capable of producing the most valuable results that were possible in those times. to rule was her passion. she was not wanting in intelligence, but it was the homely prudence of common life, the skill to adapt means to ends. of all the nations, she was the first to carry organization into every part of her government, and conduct everything by inexorable system and order. if rome was resolved to rule others, she was no less resolved to rule herself. the mission of greece was in the domain of thought, to develop the intellectual capabilities of mankind. that of rome also required intelligence, but of a lower and more material kind. she was to teach mankind to follow an orderly development, to introduce system, to prevent ruinous clashing of interests, to teach respect for law. greece taught the world to think to purpose; rome to govern with effect. each served an important purpose.

Explanation:

To determine the detail that best develops the central idea (Romans' ability to establish a well - ordered state), we analyze the options:

Option 1: "Respect for order and law among them was very great."

This directly supports the central idea as it highlights a key aspect of how the Romans established a well - ordered state. Their great respect for order and law is a fundamental element of a well - ordered state.

Option 2: "The idea of a government with a definite constitution... had never occurred to any of the Asiatic nations."

While this contrasts Romans with Asiatic nations, it is more of a comparative point rather than a direct development of how the Romans established their well - ordered state.

Option 3: "She [Rome] had a genius for producing and preserving a constitution... "

This is a strong candidate as it shows Rome's ability to create and maintain a constitution, which is crucial for a well - ordered state. It elaborates on the mechanisms (adding slowly, maintaining checks and balances) by which Rome achieved order.

Option 4: "Of all the nations, she was the first to carry organization into every part of her government... "

This also supports the central idea by showing Rome's unique approach to organizing its government, which is a key part of having a well - ordered state.

Option 5: "The mission of Greece was in the domain of thought... Rome to govern with effect."

This is a comparison between Greece and Rome, not a direct development of Rome's well - ordered state.

Among these, the detail "Of all the nations, she was the first to carry organization into every part of her government, and conduct everything by inexorable system and order" best develops the central idea as it emphasizes Rome's unique and comprehensive approach to organizing its government, which is a core part of having a well - ordered state.

Answer:

Of all the nations, she was the first to carry organization into every part of her government, and conduct everything by inexorable system and order.