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Difficulty: MediumEvaluating Relevance for Adding or Deleting Content

A writer is editing a passage about early computer science and has drafted the following paragraph:

In the early 1950s, computer pioneer Grace Hopper worked on the UNIVAC I, one of the first commercial computers. At the time, programming required writing tedious machine code, which consisted entirely of numbers. Hopper believed that programming could be simplified if programmers could write instructions in English-like statements. This led her to develop the A-0 compiler, a groundbreaking program that translated mathematical code into machine-readable instructions. [5] Computer manufacturers in the mid-twentieth century were highly competitive, seeking to secure lucrative government contracts. Although her colleagues were initially skeptical of her idea, Hopper's innovation laid the foundation for modern programming languages.

The writer is considering deleting Sentence 5 from the paragraph. Should this sentence be deleted?

  1. A
    No, because it provides necessary background information explaining why Hopper's colleagues were skeptical of her work.
  2. Yes, because it interrupts the paragraph's focus on Hopper's development of the compiler with irrelevant information about competition among manufacturers.Answer
  3. C
    Yes, because the information in the sentence repeats details about the UNIVAC I that were already established earlier in the paragraph.
  4. D
    No, because it supports the paragraph's main idea by demonstrating how Hopper's compiler helped manufacturers secure government contracts.

Answer

The sentence should be deleted because it interrupts the paragraph's focus on Hopper's development of the compiler with irrelevant details about manufacturer competition.
The option suggesting the sentence be deleted because it interrupts the focus on Hopper's compiler with details about manufacturer competition is correct. Sentence 5 shifts the focus from Hopper's programming innovation to industry business practices, making it irrelevant.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main topic and focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph focuses on Grace Hopper's work on the UNIVAC I and her development of the A-0 compiler to make programming easier.
To establish a baseline of relevance for any sentence in the paragraph.
2
Evaluate the content of Sentence 5.
Sentence 5 discusses the competitiveness of computer manufacturers in the mid-twentieth century and their pursuit of government contracts.
To determine if the sentence aligns with the paragraph's main focus.
3
Determine whether the sentence should be kept or deleted, and select the correct explanation.
The sentence is irrelevant to Hopper's compiler development and should be deleted because it interrupts the paragraph's flow. The correct option is the one stating that it should be deleted because it interrupts the focus with irrelevant details about manufacturer competition.
To match the correct decision with the accurate rhetorical reasoning.

Key Concept

Evaluating Relevance for Adding or Deleting Content
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Topics

Evaluating Relevance for Adding or Deleting Content

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