Question

Difficulty: EasyEvaluating Whole-Essay Goals and Purpose

Suppose the writer's goal had been to write an essay that highlights the construction timeline and key structural features of the Empire State Building. Based on the provided essay, is the statement that the essay successfully fulfills this goal true or false?

[1] The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, stands as a monument to early twentieth-century engineering. Rising 1,250 feet above the streets of Midtown Manhattan, it was constructed in just thirteen months during the Great Depression. The building’s framework consists of a massive steel grid designed to withstand high winds and support the limestone cladding that covers its exterior.

[2] At the core of this engineering marvel was the innovative use of hot-riveted steel columns. Workers, known as "sky boys," balanced on narrow beams hundreds of feet in the air to assemble the frame. They heated steel rivets in small furnaces until red-hot, tossed them across open gaps to catchers, and hammered them into place to secure the joints. This dangerous and fast-paced labor allowed the steel skeleton to rise at an astonishing rate of four and a half stories per week.

[3] While newer skyscrapers utilize concrete cores and composite materials, the Empire State Building remains a symbol of the steel-frame era. Today, it continues to serve as an active office building and a world-famous tourist attraction, demonstrating the enduring strength and utility of its original structural design.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
The essay successfully achieves the stated goal because it addresses both parts of the prompt's writing objective. It details the construction timeline (mentioning the thirteen-month duration and the rate of four and a half stories per week) and outlines structural components (including the steel grid, hot-riveted columns, and limestone cladding).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the essay-wide goal specified in the prompt, which is to highlight the construction timeline and key structural features of the Empire State Building.
The goal requires the text to address both when/how fast it was built (timeline) and its physical building properties (structural features).
This establishes the criteria for evaluating the essay.
2
Read the essay to see if it covers the construction timeline.
The essay mentions the building was constructed in 'just thirteen months' and that the skeleton rose at a rate of 'four and a half stories per week.'
This confirms the timeline aspect of the goal is met.
3
Read the essay to see if it covers key structural features.
The essay describes the 'massive steel grid,' the 'hot-riveted steel columns,' and the 'limestone cladding.'
This confirms the structural features aspect of the goal is met.

Key Concept

Evaluating Whole-Essay Goals and Purpose
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