Question

Difficulty: EasySentence Addition and Deletion Decisions

[1] Sourdough bread relies on a wild yeast starter rather than commercial baker's yeast. [2] This starter, a fermenting mixture of flour and water, captures wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria from the environment. [3] Over time, these microorganisms produce carbon dioxide and lactic acid, giving the bread its characteristic rise and sour flavor. [4] Many commercial bakeries prefer using dry active yeast because it is faster and more predictable. [5] Once the starter is active, it must be regularly fed with fresh flour and water to keep the yeast alive.

The writer is considering deleting Sentence 4 from the paragraph. Should this sentence be kept or deleted?

  1. A
    Kept, because it provides a useful contrast between the process of sourdough fermentation and standard baking practices.
  2. B
    Kept, because it supports the paragraph's claim that sourdough bread is more difficult to make than other breads.
  3. Deleted, because it interrupts the paragraph's discussion of how wild yeast starters are developed and maintained.Answer
  4. D
    Deleted, because it contradicts the paragraph's opening statement about wild yeast starters.

Answer

Deleted, because it interrupts the paragraph's discussion of how wild yeast starters are developed and maintained.
The correct answer is to delete the sentence because it interrupts the paragraph's discussion of how wild yeast starters are developed and maintained. The paragraph describes the biology, function, and upkeep of wild yeast starters, and introducing commercial bakeries' preferences distracts the reader from this explanation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph focuses on how sourdough bread is made using a wild yeast starter, explaining how the starter works and how it is maintained.
Understanding the paragraph's unity is necessary to determine if the sentence is relevant.
2
Evaluate the relevance of Sentence 4 to that main focus.
Sentence 4 shifts the topic to the preferences and speed of commercial bakeries using dry active yeast, which does not relate to making or maintaining a wild yeast starter.
Identifying off-topic sentences is the key step in addition/deletion decisions.
3
Select the option that correctly recommends deleting the sentence and provides the correct reason.
The correct recommendation is to delete the sentence because it interrupts the discussion of wild yeast starters.
This maintains the paragraph's overall cohesion and unity.

Key Concept

Evaluating paragraph cohesion and identifying irrelevant sentences that interrupt the main topic.
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