Read the excerpt from "A Quilt of a Country."
What is the point of this splintered whole? What is the
point of a nation in which Arab cabbies chauffeur
Jewish passengers through the streets of New York-
and in which Jewish cabbies chauffeur Arab
passengers, too, and yet speak in theory of hatred, one
for the other? What is the point of a nation in which one
part seems to be always on the verge of fisticuffs with
another, blacks and whites, gays and straights, left and
right, Pole and Chinese and Puerto Rican and
Slovenian? Other countries with such divisions have in
fact divided into new nations with new names, but not
this one, impossibly interwoven even in its hostilities.
Which statement best summarizes the central idea of
this paragraph?
O America's cultural differences have caused it to
fracture.
O America is a united country despite its cultural
differences.
O America's cultural differences make it impossible to
live peacefully.
O America is always on the verge of civil unrest due to
its multicultural citizens.

In the given paragraph from "A Quilt of a Country," the central idea can be summarized as follows: 1. **America is a united country despite its cultural differences.** The author explores the intricate and intertwined nature of American society, highlighting the coexistence of diverse cultural groups within the nation. Despite tensions and conflicts among different groups, the author emphasizes the shared space and interactions that occur, such as Arab cabbies driving Jewish passengers and vice versa. This interwoven fabric of interactions, even amidst theoretical hatred and divisions, showcases the complex yet united nature of America. 2. **America's cultural differences make it impossible to live peacefully.** Another interpretation could focus on the challenges posed by cultural differences in America. The paragraph underscores the potential for conflict and hostility arising from the diversity of the nation. The mention of various groups always seeming on the verge of conflict suggests a volatile environment where peace is fragile due to the vast array of cultural backgrounds and perspectives present in the country. Both interpretations capture different aspects of the paragraph's message, showcasing the complex nature of American society and the coexistence of unity and division within its multicultural framework.