Final answer:
The central idea of 'The Bald Eagle: A Point of National Pride' states that the bald eagle is a fitting national symbol, representing values like freedom and strength, rather than focusing on its hunting ability, appearance, or conservation status.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of ‘The Bald Eagle: A Point of National Pride’ is most accurately captured by option (c), which states that ‘the United States has chosen an appropriate national symbol for itself.’ The bald eagle serves as a symbol of American values such as freedom and strength. This idea encompasses both the pride in the choice of the national symbol and the attributes the bald eagle represents; it is not primarily about its hunting prowess (a), its physical characteristics (b), or its conservation status (d), although these could contribute to understanding its symbolic significance.
While the bald eagle is indeed a tremendous hunter, and it is a fact that it is not actually bald but rather has white feathers on its head, these details are supplementary when discussing its role as a national symbol. Additionally, the national symbol of the United States did face challenges, as at one point the bald eagle population declined drastically, but this is context rather than the core idea of its symbolic pride. The reverence and association with national pride are captured in expressions such as the one in the revision text, which illustrates the eagle's majesty.