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 as a place for unimportant content. But then it focuses on how social media helps entrepreneurs. It mentions that creative people can advertise at low cost to a wide market. The key idea is about social media's role as a marketplace.

• The first option is too prescriptive ("Every entrepreneur should...") and not what the paragraph is mainly about.
• The second option only focuses on the "meaningless posts" part, which is not the main idea.
• The fourth option compares to television, which the paragraph doesn't do. The main idea is about social media's valid purpose as a marketplace.

Answer:

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