Question

read the paragraph about social media.
social media outlets are often criticized as forums for unimportant postings and uniformed rants. though much of what is posted is conversational drivel, social media outlets also serve as springboards for entrepreneurs. creative people can advertise their designs or products at a low cost to a wider market than entrepreneurs could have imagined in previous generations. the internet is the ultimate free marketplace, allowing motivated individuals to share their wares with the world.
what is the controlling idea?
every entrepreneur should advertise ones products on the internet.
the internet has countless forums on which people share meaningless posts.
social media has a valid purpose as an inexpensive, creative marketplace.
advertising products on the internet is inexpensive compared to television.

Explanation:

The paragraph starts by acknowledging the criticism of social media (unimportant postings), then uses "though" to introduce its positive side (serving as springboards for entrepreneurs, low - cost advertising to a wide market). The controlling idea should encapsulate both the existence of some negative perception and the positive, valid purpose.

• The first option is too narrow as it only focuses on entrepreneurs advertising (not the overall social media purpose).
• The second option only highlights the negative (meaningless posts) and ignores the positive.
• The fourth option compares advertising on the Internet to television, which is not the main focus of the paragraph. The main focus is on social media's role as a marketplace.

Answer:

Social media has a valid purpose as an inexpensive, creative marketplace.