22. Which of the following sentences could be dropped from the paragraph without changing the main idea?
Answer: B
Other Orkney tales include lindwurms, giant mythic serpents with dragon-like traits.
This sentence can be dropped from the paragraph without altering the main idea, which focuses on the selchie myth and its connection to Orkney. While it provides additional context about other myths, it does not contribute to the understanding of the central theme regarding selchies.
A) The islands have a significant population of both grey seals and common seals, which might explain why seal folk legends are more common here in the islands.
This sentence is integral to the paragraph as it links the presence of seal populations to the prevalence of selchie legends, thereby supporting the main idea about the origins of the selchie myth in Orkney.
B) Other Orkney tales include lindwurms, giant mythic serpents with dragon-like traits.
This sentence can be omitted without impact on the main idea of the paragraph, which centers on the selchies and their significance in Orkney folklore. The mention of lindwurms, while interesting, does not relate directly to the selchie myth.
C) Orkney, a series of islands north of mainland Scotland, is often considered the origin of the selchie myth.
This sentence is crucial as it establishes Orkney's role in the selchie myth's origins, directly contributing to the paragraph's focus on the seal folk.
D) The seal folk, often called selchies, appear in stories in Ireland and Cornwall but are especially prominent in those of Scotland.
This sentence is essential as it introduces the seal folk, providing key context about their cultural significance and geographical prominence, which is central to the theme of the paragraph.
Conclusion
The sentence about lindwurms can be excluded without affecting the paragraph's main idea regarding selchies and their origins in Orkney. All other options provide critical context that supports the main focus of the text, which is the significance of selchies in local folklore and their ties to the region's seal populations. Thus, option B is the only one that could be dropped without losing the paragraph's primary message.