Question

from grand canyon of arizona: how to see it
by george wharton james

there are many canyons, but the grand canyon of
arizona is the mecca of the traveling world, and el
tovar always has the housing of the choice spirits who
have run the gamut of tourist delights in other lands.
this home like inn shelters men of letters, scientists,
geologists, artists and businessmen. any night, in the
year, on the rim of this wonderful abyss, there will be
tound a miniature city, with its life and sparkle, its
fellowships and social converse, its bustle and
abandon, and, best of all, the sincere pure democracy
inherent among traveled men and women.
in magical contrast with this human center, is the
nearby solitude, for one may in a moment step from the
companionship of men to the isolation of the desert or
mountain—at will you may be one of the crowd or a
hermit.

which of the following sentences best summarizes the above selection?
a. the grand canyon offers sincere pure freedom that can be found only among men and
women who have traveled extensively. it is the only place where a sense of absolute
freedom exists.
b. the grand canyon offers great solitude for those seeking to find a quiet place. this
remoteness of the desert or the mountains brings a certain kind of peace to the hermits.
c. the grand canyon is a place of pilgrimage for travelers and attracts people from all walks of
life. this is one place where a person can at once be part of a crowd or be alone.
d. the grand canyon is a shelter to writers, scientists, geologists, artists, and businessmen.
when these people gather at the el tovar inn, the place transforms itself into a miniature
city

Explanation:

To determine the best summary, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage doesn't claim the Grand Canyon is the "only place" with absolute freedom, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The passage mentions solitude but also social interactions (fellowships, social converse), so B's focus on only solitude is incomplete.
• Option C: The passage states the Grand Canyon attracts people from all walks of life (writers, scientists, geologists, artists, businessmen) and is a place of pilgrimage, and when they gather, it becomes a miniature city. This matches the idea of being part of a crowd or alone, and attracting diverse people.
• Option D: The passage says the inn is a home-like shelter, but the option focuses on the inn transforming into a city, while the passage's main point is about the Grand Canyon as a destination for diverse people and the mix of solitude and community. C better captures the overall essence.

Answer:

C. The Grand Canyon is a place of pilgrimage for traveler's and attracts people from all walks of life. This is one place where a person can at once be part of a crowd or be alone.