Several reasons explain why a sermon would be popular to read during the Great Awakening and in colonial religious life. Based on the information provided, the following reasons apply:

• Religion was important to colonists. Sermons were a central part of colonial life, shaping ideas about society, morality, and purpose. The average New Englander heard thousands of sermons in their lifetime, and these messages were considered highly influential-often more so than modern media today

• Others in the community would read and talk about sermons. Sermons were a common topic of discussion among colonists. They were often published, passed from family to family, and discussed in depth, making them a shared cultural and intellectual experience

The other options are not strongly supported:

• Colonists would be tested on the sermon. There is no strong evidence that colonists were formally tested on sermons as part of their religious or educational life.
• Sermons were the only reading material available. While sermons were a major literary genre, they were not the only reading material available; Bibles and other religious texts were also common

In summary, the best-supported reasons are:

• Religion was important to colonists.
• Others in the community would read and talk about sermons.