Question

the footprints of time by charles elmore (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 were possessed of 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 best 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 furious 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. select the correct answer. which statement best expresses the central idea of the passage?
a. the greeks valued intelligence more than the romans.
b. the greeks valued the intellectual capabilities of people.
c. the romans were superior to the greeks in many ways, including government.
d. the romans valued organization and order in all parts of the government.

Explanation:

The passage focuses on Roman values of organization and order in governance (e.g., "self - ordered state", "carry organization into every part of her government", "conduct everything by inexorable system and order"). Option A and B focus on Greeks, not the passage's central idea about Romans. Option C claims Romans were superior, but the passage says both served important purposes, not superiority. Option D matches the Roman focus on order in government.

Answer:

D. The Romans valued organization and order in all parts of the government.