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Difficulty: EasyEvaluating Inter-Passage Relationships and Function

Passage A
The invention of the electric telegraph in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and other innovators revolutionized long-distance communication. Before its development, information could travel only as fast as physical transport, such as a horse or a ship. By converting electrical pulses into coded signals, the telegraph allowed news to be transmitted across continents in minutes. This breakthrough laid the foundation for modern telecommunications, transforming global commerce and journalism by connecting distant regions almost instantaneously.

Passage B
While the technical achievement of the telegraph was widely celebrated, its immediate societal impact was met with apprehension by some nineteenth-century commentators. Critics worried that the rapid transmission of information would lead to sensationalized news and impulsive decision-making. Henry David Thoreau, in his work Walden, questioned the utility of the invention, suggesting that humanity was in too great a hurry to connect before having anything meaningful to communicate, thereby prioritizing speed over substance.

Based on the two passages, which of the following best describes the relationship between Passage A and Passage B?

  1. A
    Passage B provides technical details that explain how the electrical pulses described in Passage A were generated.
  2. B
    Passage B demonstrates that both authors believe the telegraph had an entirely positive impact on nineteenth-century society.
  3. Passage B introduces contemporary concerns and skepticism regarding the rapid technological changes celebrated in Passage A.Answer
  4. D
    Passage B argues that the telegraph was a complete failure and did not actually succeed in connecting distant regions as described in Passage A.

Answer

Passage B introduces contemporary concerns and skepticism regarding the rapid technological changes celebrated in Passage A.
The correct answer accurately states that Passage B presents contemporary skepticism and social concerns about the rapid transmission of news. While Passage A highlights the positive advancements and connectivity of the telegraph, Passage B introduces critiques regarding its societal impact.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Passage A to determine its main focus.
Passage A celebrates the technical invention of the telegraph and its positive effects in connecting distant regions.
Understanding the function and tone of Passage A provides the baseline for comparing it to Passage B.
2
Analyze Passage B to determine its relationship to Passage A.
Passage B focuses on the societal skepticism, criticism, and apprehension surrounding the invention, referencing critics like Thoreau.
Identifying the core message of Passage B reveals how it responds to the positive achievements mentioned in Passage A.
3
Synthesize the relationship and match it with the correct option.
The correct option correctly states that Passage B introduces concerns and skepticism regarding the technological revolution described in Passage A.
This directly matches the relationship between the positive technical description in the first passage and the social criticism in the second.

Key Concept

Evaluating Inter-Passage Relationships and Function
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Evaluating Inter-Passage Relationships and Function

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