Question

read the passage.
the stinky durian fruit
the durian is an asian fruit that is known for its incredible stench. food writer richard sterling describes its odor as \turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock.\ in 2012, a group of scientists analyzed an extract taken from thai durians to determine what causes the fruit to smell so bad. the researchers identified fifty different compounds, including some that had never been identified before. individually, these chemicals have their own characteristic smells, such as onion, garlic, cheese, honey, yeast, metal, rubber, and skunk. no wonder the durian has such a unique, disgusting stink!
what is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
scientists identified some chemicals in durians that had never been found anywhere else.
scientists analyzed a sample taken from thai durians to find out why the fruit has such a powerful odor.
scientists found that a combination of different chemicals is responsible for the durian’s powerful odor.

Explanation:

The passage focuses on explaining why durian has a powerful, unique stench, centering on the analysis of its chemical components that create the smell. The core idea is that a combination of various chemicals (some newly identified, some with familiar strong odors) causes the durian's distinct, unpleasant smell.

Answer:

Scientists found that a combination of different chemicals is responsible for the durian's powerful odor.