The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the passage provided, the correct answer is B.
Explanation
The correct answer is B: The Constitution was written to protect the freedoms of others.
To determine the main idea of a passage, one must identify the central point or the most important message the author is trying to convey. The provided text consists of two sentences that work together to build this central point.
The first sentence, “The United States Constitution was written to help form laws for the newly independent country,” sets the general context. It tells us the basic function of the Constitution which is to create a legal framework. While this is an important detail, it is not the most specific or ultimate purpose described in the passage.
The second sentence, “The constitution focuses on rules that protect the freedoms of others,” clarifies and specifies the primary purpose of those laws. This sentence goes beyond the general idea of lawmaking and highlights the core principle guiding the Constitution’s rules: safeguarding liberty. This specific focus is the most critical piece of information in the text, making it the main idea. Option B directly summarizes this key function.
Let’s analyze why the other options are incorrect. Option A, which likely states that the Constitution is a document, is a factual statement but it is too general. The passage assumes the reader knows this and aims to explain the document’s purpose, not its format. Option C, which mentions the year 1787, is incorrect because this information is not included anywhere in the provided text. The main idea must be derived exclusively from the content of the passage itself, not from outside knowledge.
Therefore, the statement that the Constitution’s purpose is to protect freedoms best captures the essential message of the passage.
