Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumParagraph-Level Transitions

The following paragraphs are from an essay about the history of standard time zones. Arrange the paragraphs in the most logical order to create a cohesive passage.

  1. 1Historically, timekeeping was a localized affair; each town set its clocks by the sun, declaring noon to be the moment the sun reached its highest point in the sky. This meant that when it was noon in Boston, it was 11:44 a.m. in Philadelphia. Since travel between towns was slow, these minor differences in local solar time went largely unnoticed by the general public.
  2. 2This decentralized approach to timekeeping became untenable, however, with the rapid expansion of passenger railroads in the mid-nineteenth century. Trains traveling at unprecedented speeds moved across multiple towns in a single hour. Without a synchronized standard, scheduling trains was a chaotic and dangerous endeavor, resulting in frequent near-misses and collisions on single-track lines.
  3. 3To address these safety concerns, representatives from major railroads gathered in Chicago in 1883 to implement a system of four uniform time zones across the United States. Although some communities resisted what they saw as an artificial disruption of natural solar cycles, the obvious benefits to safety and commerce eventually won over the public. Within a few decades, standard time zones became the official law of the land.
  4. 4Today, this grid of standardized time zones spans the entire globe, coordinating not only rail traffic but also international flights, global financial markets, and digital communications. What began as a practical solution to a localized transportation hazard has become the invisible framework that structures modern global society.

Answer

The paragraphs should be ordered: first, the paragraph describing local solar timekeeping; second, the paragraph introducing railroad-induced scheduling hazards; third, the paragraph discussing the Chicago agreement to implement four time zones; and fourth, the paragraph detailing the modern global impact of standardized time zones.
The correct order follows a logical chronological and cause-and-effect structure. It begins with the initial state of localized timekeeping, transitions to the disruptive problem introduced by railroads, introduces the solution implemented in 1883, and concludes with the modern global impact of standard time zones.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory paragraph.
The paragraph describing localized timekeeping based on the sun's position serves as the logical starting point, as it establishes the historical baseline before any modern complications are introduced.
A cohesive essay must establish context before presenting a historical problem.
2
Determine the second paragraph by tracing the transition word.
The paragraph starting with 'This decentralized approach' logically follows, as the phrase directly refers to the town-by-town timekeeping described in the first paragraph and introduces the conflict (railroads).
Demonstrative pronouns like 'This' must link back to clear antecedents in the preceding paragraph.
3
Connect the solution to the problems raised in the second paragraph.
The paragraph beginning with 'To address these safety concerns' follows the railroad paragraph, as it offers a direct resolution to the scheduling hazards and collisions detailed at the end of the previous paragraph.
Logical cohesion requires that efforts to address safety concerns follow the explanation of what those safety hazards actually were.
4
Identify the concluding paragraph.
The paragraph starting with 'Today' is placed last, transitioning the timeline to the present day and reflecting on the long-term, global consequences of the 1883 decision.
Concluding paragraphs typically shift from specific historical events to broader, contemporary observations.

Key Concept

Paragraph-Level Transitions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Paragraph-Level Transitions

More questions from this topic