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Difficulty: EasyParagraph Reordering and Placement

For the sake of the logic and cohesion of this essay, arrange the paragraphs in the most logical order.

  1. 1[1]
    In 490 BCE, according to ancient legend, a Greek messenger named Pheidippides ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to deliver news of a military victory. This legendary run would later serve as the inspiration for a new athletic competition.
  2. 2[2]
    When the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, organizers decided to honor this legend by staging a long-distance footrace. They mapped out a course that followed the approximate route Pheidippides was believed to have run.
  3. 3[3]
    That inaugural Olympic race was approximately 25 miles long, but this distance was not yet officially standardized. It varied from one athletic event to another for over a decade.
  4. 4[4]
    It was not until the 1908 Olympic Games in London that the distance was altered to exactly 26.2 miles. This adjustment was made so the race could begin at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the Royal Box, establishing the permanent distance used today.

Answer

The paragraphs should be ordered as: Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4.
The correct sequence begins with the ancient origin story of the marathon in 490 BCE, transitions to the first modern Olympics in 1896, continues describing the characteristics of that initial race, and concludes with the standardization of the distance in 1908. Pronoun and noun referents like 'this legend' and 'That inaugural Olympic race' align perfectly with their antecedents in this order.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory paragraph of the essay.
Paragraph 1 is placed first.
It begins the chronological timeline in 490 BCE and introduces the legend of Pheidippides, which is essential context for the rest of the text.
2
Identify the transition to the modern era.
Paragraph 2 is placed second.
It moves chronologically to the year 1896 and uses the phrase 'this legend' to refer directly to the story introduced in Paragraph 1.
3
Identify the logical continuation of the 1896 Olympic Games event.
Paragraph 3 is placed third.
It begins with 'That inaugural Olympic race', which links directly to the race established in Paragraph 2, and introduces the problem of a non-standardized distance.
4
Identify the resolution of the distance issue.
Paragraph 4 is placed fourth.
It moves forward to the 1908 Olympic Games, resolving the lack of standardization mentioned in Paragraph 3 by explaining how the permanent distance of 26.2 miles was set.

Key Concept

Paragraph Reordering and Placement
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Paragraph Reordering and Placement

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