Question

finding the central idea
they eat and drink out of vessels of earth or glass, which make an agreeable appearance, though formed of brittle materials; while they make their chamber - pots and close - stools of gold and silver, and that not only in their public halls but in their private houses. of the same metals they likewise make chains and fetters for their slaves, to some of which, as a badge of infamy, they hang an earring of gold, and make others wear a chain or a coronet of the same metal; and thus they take care by all possible means to render gold and silver of no esteem....

• utopia, thomas more

what is the central idea of this passage?
the utopians eat and drink out of brittle glasses
the utopians make their chamber - pots out of gold
the utopians use gold to make earrings and other valuable jewelry
the utopians work hard to make gold and silver seem less valuable

Explanation:

The passage shows that Utopians use precious metals like gold and silver for low - status items (chamber - pots, slave fetters) while using common materials for eating and drinking vessels. This is to devalue gold and silver.

Answer:

The Utopians work hard to make gold and silver seem less valuable