Option (D)

From the context, we can tell that we need a word that means a list, most likely a short one, so as to contrast with the expansive idea conveyed in the second sentence. A ‘curriculum’ is the total course of study offered by an educational institution, so it cannot fit here. ‘Concoction’, which means a mixture of various ingredients, is also out. An ‘abstraction’ is an abstract concept, and so does not fit here at all. An ‘abridgement’ is a shortened or condensed form of a text, so it does convey the idea of shortness, but not that of a list. Only ‘compendium’, which means both a list and a brief account, is the appropriate word here.