Question

1. which of the following statements expresses the central idea, or claim, that the author develops in her argument?

fiction plays an important role in social progress.
literature is often the cause of debate and conflict.
stories from the past may contain negative stereotypes.
social ills are easier to resolve using fiction than through politics.

Explanation:

The central idea of an argument is the main point the author is trying to convey. Fiction's role in social progress is a broad - reaching and overarching claim compared to the others which are more specific aspects or comparisons. The other statements focus on more limited aspects like literature causing conflict, past stories' stereotypes, or a comparison between fiction and politics for social ills.

Answer:

Fiction plays an important role in social progress.