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.
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 excerpt from "A Quilt of a Country," the central idea is that America is a united country despite its cultural differences. The author highlights the diversity and interwoven nature of American society by mentioning interactions between different cultural groups like Arab cabbies driving Jewish passengers and vice versa. This showcases a coexistence that goes beyond theoretical hatred, emphasizing the complex but unified fabric of American society. 1. America is portrayed as a nation where despite cultural differences and historical animosities, individuals from diverse backgrounds coexist and interact peacefully in everyday situations like taxi rides. 2. The excerpt suggests that America's unity lies in its ability to navigate through differences and conflicts, ultimately staying together as a nation despite the varied cultural identities and beliefs of its citizens. 3. Rather than fracturing due to cultural differences, the author emphasizes America's unique strength in maintaining unity and cohesiveness even amidst diversity, which sets it apart from other countries that have divided over similar divisions. Therefore, the best summary of the paragraph is that America is a united country despite its cultural differences, reflecting the complex yet harmonious nature of its multicultural society.