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Question

Difficulty: EasySupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

A writer is editing a draft of an essay about astronomer Maria Mitchell.

[1] In 1847, Mitchell spent her evenings scanning the night sky from the roof of her father's bank in Nantucket. [2] Using a modest two-inch telescope, she discovered a new comet, which established her reputation as a skilled observer. [3] Shortly after her discovery, Mitchell received prestigious honors that cemented her international reputation. [4] The success of her work ultimately paved the way for other women to pursue careers in professional astronomy.

The writer wants to revise sentence 3 to provide the most specific, concrete evidence of Mitchell's international recognition. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

  1. Shortly after her discovery, Mitchell was awarded a gold medal by King Christian VIII of Denmark and became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Answer
  2. B
    Shortly after her discovery, Mitchell was sent letters and congratulations by many different people who lived in other countries.
  3. C
    Although Mitchell received a gold medal from the King of Denmark, which made her famous.
  4. D
    Shortly after her discovery, Mitchell receives a gold medal from the King of Denmark and became a famous astronomer.

Answer

The choice stating that Mitchell was awarded a gold medal by King Christian VIII of Denmark and became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The correct choice is the one that names the specific award ('gold medal by King Christian VIII of Denmark') and the specific academic honor ('first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences'), which provides the most concrete evidence of Mitchell's international recognition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt to identify the specific rhetorical goal.
The goal is to revise sentence 3 to provide the most specific, concrete evidence of Maria Mitchell's international recognition.
Understanding the precise criteria of the question ensures that the selected option directly supports the targeted claim rather than just being grammatically correct.
2
Evaluate the choices for grammatical correctness.
One choice is a sentence fragment starting with a subordinating conjunction, and another introduces an illogical verb tense shift, leaving two grammatically correct choices.
ACT English questions require both grammatical correctness and rhetorical appropriateness; eliminating grammatically incorrect options narrows down the choices.
3
Compare the remaining grammatically correct choices to determine which provides the most specific and concrete details.
The choice detailing the gold medal from the King of Denmark and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences provides highly specific, concrete details, whereas the other choice relies on vague, general descriptions.
Specific details like names of organizations and awards provide stronger support for a claim of international recognition than generalized statements.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
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Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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