School versus family in transmitting tradition: Because modern economic development has weakened the family as a bearer of tradition and education, the school today is an even more important means of passing cultural wealth from one generation to the next; which statement is best supported for the transmission of tradition?
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AThere are means other than the school for transferring tradition across generations.
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BSeveral different sources must be attempted simultaneously.
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CEconomic development itself is the central tool for transfer of tradition.
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DModern technology must be deployed for transmission of tradition.
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EFamily remains, as ever, the most potent means of transmission.
Answer
Correct Answer: There are means other than the school for transferring tradition across generations.
Explanation
Given data
- The school has always been the most important means of transmitting tradition.
- This is even more true today because the family's role in tradition/education has weakened due to economic developments.
Concept/Approach (careful inference)The passage mentions at least two channels—school (primary) and family (now weakened). Therefore, it supports the existence of other means besides school, even while stressing school's primacy.
Step-by-Step reasoning1) Identify channels: school (primary), family (secondary, weakened).2) The question asks what is “best supported” about means of transmission.3) The statement “there are means other than the school” follows immediately (family is one).
Verification/Alternative checkThe options do not include “school is most important today,” so the minimal true inference is that other means exist (family), though weakened.
Common pitfallsDo not pick “family is the most potent means” (contradicted) or bring in technology/economic development as the transfer means themselves.
Final AnswerThere are means other than the school for transferring tradition across generations.