Question

Read the excerpt from Captain Canot or Twenty Years of an African Slaver. They are allowed to converse freely during the day while on deck. Corporal punishment is never inflicted save by order of an officer, and, even then, not until the culprit understands exactly why it is done. Once a week, the ship’s barber scrapes their chins without assistance from soap; and, on the same day, their nails are closely pared, to ensure security from harm in those nightly battles that occur. . . . During afternoons of serene weather, men, women, girls, and boys are allowed to unite in African melodies. . . . These hints will apprise the reader that the greatest care, compatible with safety, is taken of a negro’s health and cleanliness on the voyage. In every well-conducted slaver, the captain, officers, and crew are alert and vigilant to preserve the cargo. It is their personal interest, as well as the interest of humanity to do so. Which central idea is developed and supported by the passage? 1. Enslaved captives caused more trouble for slavers than the reverse. 2. Enslaved captives were treated terribly by those who captured them. 3. The slave trade was a difficult industry for slavers to work in. 4. The slave trade was very fair and humane toward enslaved captives.

Answer 1

Answer:

The central idea developed and supported by the passage is:

4. The slave trade was very fair and humane toward enslaved captives.

Explanation:

Take a look at the following passages:

- Corporal punishment [...] not until the culprit understands exactly why it is done.

- [...] to ensure security from harm in those nightly battles that occur...

- [...] men, women, girls, and boys are allowed to unite in African melodies.

- [...] the greatest care, compatible with safety, is taken of a negro’s health and cleanliness on the voyage.

The speaker makes it sound as if slavers were doing their best to take care of African slaves. He makes it seem as if the way they were treated was humane and fair. They were not punished until they understood why they were being punished for. They were kept clean, and were allowed to express their culture through melodies. Their safety was taken into consideration since slavers knew there would be fights. In summary, the excerpt makes it sound as if slavers were good people who were doing nothing besides keeping slaves healthy, clean, and safe from their own barbaric behavior.