Mortimer Adler proposed three criteria for selecting books for study. Which of the following is one criterion?

• A. The book must be a novel
• B. Contemporary significance
• C. The author must be living
• D. The book must be published in the last decade

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that Adler valued works for their relevance to today. Contemporary significance means a book should connect with present-day questions, problems, and ways of thinking, so readers can apply its ideas to their own lives and current debates. This keeps study material lively and meaningful, helping students develop critical reading and argument skills by engaging with issues that still matter now.

That’s why this criterion stands out: it emphasizes enduring relevance over novelty, form, or the author’s status. A work doesn’t have to be a novel, the author doesn’t need to be living, and it isn’t about publication recency; it’s about whether the ideas continue to illuminate current concerns and encourage thoughtful discussion.