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Question

Difficulty: EasyEstablishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

Ada Lovelace was a visionary mathematician who is widely celebrated today for her work on Charles Babbage’s mechanical computer.

[1] __________________________________________________ She appended a set of notes that was longer than the article itself. These notes included what is now recognized as the first computer program: an algorithm designed to calculate Bernoulli numbers. Lovelace saw that Babbage’s machine could do more than just compute numbers; she envisioned it processing symbols, music, and art, laying the conceptual groundwork for modern computing.

Which choice most effectively introduces the paragraph?

  1. In 1843, Lovelace published an influential translation of an article about the Analytical Engine.Answer
  2. B
    Although she published an influential translation of an article about the Analytical Engine in 1843.
  3. C
    In 1843, Lovelace's translation of several articles about the machine were published.
  4. D
    In 1843, Lovelace translated an article; which described the Analytical Engine.

Answer

The statement introducing Lovelace's 1843 publication of her translation of an article on the Analytical Engine is the correct choice, as it is grammatically correct and logically sets up the paragraph.
The correct answer provides a grammatically complete and logically fitting sentence that introduces the main topic of the paragraph. By establishing that Lovelace published a translation of an article about the Analytical Engine, it sets up the transition to the subsequent sentence, which refers to the notes she appended to that translation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Read the paragraph to understand the topic and find the logical connection between the missing sentence and the sentence that follows.
The sentence following the blank says 'She appended a set of notes...', which implies the preceding sentence must mention a document or publication she produced.
Establishing context is necessary to select an introduction that flows smoothly into the paragraph's details.
2
Evaluate the choices for grammatical correctness.
The option beginning with 'Although' is a fragment. The option with 'were published' has a subject-verb agreement error. The option with the semicolon contains a punctuation error.
An effective introductory sentence must be grammatically correct.
3
Choose the grammatically correct option that provides the logical transition.
The option starting 'In 1843, Lovelace published an influential translation...' is a complete sentence and introduces the translation referenced in the next sentence.
This option satisfies both the grammatical and rhetorical requirements of the paragraph.

Key Concept

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements
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Topics

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

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