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Question

Difficulty: MediumEstablishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

[1]
_____________________________. Benton MacKaye, a regional planner and forester, first proposed the trail in his 1921 article, 'An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning.' He envisioned a continuous wilderness path that would serve as a refuge from the growing urbanization and industrialization of East Coast cities. MacKaye believed that city dwellers needed a place to escape the hectic pace of modern life, find spiritual renewal, and engage in outdoor recreation.

[2]
Over the next few decades, volunteers and outdoor clubs worked tirelessly to turn MacKaye's vision into a reality. They cleared paths, built shelters, and blazed trees with the trail's signature white markers. Today, the Appalachian Trail stretches over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, attracting millions of hikers who seek to test their endurance against the rugged terrain.

Which choice most effectively introduces the main subject of the passage and establishes the focus of the first paragraph?

  1. A
    Hiking is a popular recreational activity that allows people to enjoy nature and improve their physical fitness.
  2. B
    Although regional planners in the 1920s were primarily focused on constructing roads and highways rather than hiking paths.
  3. In the early twentieth century, an ambitious proposal arose to construct a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains.Answer
  4. D
    The Appalachian Trail is going to be built by outdoor enthusiasts who wanted to preserve the eastern wilderness.

Answer

In the early twentieth century, an ambitious proposal arose to construct a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains.
The correct option introducing the early twentieth-century proposal for a footpath along the Appalachian Mountains effectively sets the stage for the essay. It defines the main subject of the passage and smoothly transitions to the next sentence, which details Benton MacKaye's 1921 proposal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the rhetorical goal of the opening sentence.
The sentence must introduce the main subject of the entire passage (the Appalachian Trail) and establish a clear transition to the next sentence, which discusses Benton MacKaye's 1921 proposal.
An effective introduction sets the context and provides a smooth transition to subsequent details.
2
Analyze each option for grammatical correctness and relevance.
One option is a dependent clause fragment, another introduces a future tense shift, and another is a generic statement about hiking that lacks the specific subject.
Eliminating grammatically incorrect and off-topic options ensures the best rhetorical fit is chosen.
3
Select the option that is both grammatically correct and meets the rhetorical objective.
The option introducing the early twentieth-century proposal for a footpath fits perfectly.
It identifies the trail and sets up the historical context for MacKaye's 1921 article.

Key Concept

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

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