Some say that nothing is more vivid or memorable than a picture. We disagree. No visual im

age is as vivid as the image created by the mind in response to words. The main function of the poet or the artist, in fact, is to enable people to see more deeply into things than they can with the unaided eye, and this is what good prose or poetry or painting is all about.

It is not true that one picture is worth a thousand words. It takes only a few words if they are the right words-to ignite the imagination and produce picture far more colorful than anything within the range of electronic communication.

Yet the ultimately importance and power of print is represented not by its superior images but by its ability to convey abstract ideas. No matter how intensive or prolonged a person's formal schooling may be, he is only partially educated if he is unable to think abstractly. He knows that the most vital ingredient in the making of decisions is sequential thought; This is what is meant by abstract thought. No other medium of communications can equal the speed and accuracy of print in moving an abstraction from one human brain to another. If we are looking for a way to kill philosophy, then let us by all means put an end to print, for print is the natural habitant of ideas.

There is also a connecting between reading and owning that is not accidental or incidental. People who are impressed with ideas want to think about them, on their own terms and in their own time.

What is the main idea of the first paragraph？

A．Visual image is not so vivid as the image created by the mind in response to words.

B．Poets and artists can help people understand the essence of things.

C．Good prose or poetry invariably deals with life.

D．What the mind produces is more profound than what the eye can see.