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Difficulty: HardParagraph Reordering and Placement

The following paragraphs are from an essay about Grace Hopper's pioneering work in computer science. Arrange the paragraphs in the most logical order to create a coherent essay.

  1. 1In the early days of computing, programming required writing instructions in tedious machine code, a process that was highly prone to human error. Grace Hopper, a mathematician serving in the United States Naval Reserve, believed that computer programming could be made much more efficient and accessible if programmers could write instructions in English.
  2. 2However, this visionary proposal was initially met with widespread skepticism from her peers, who insisted that computers were purely mathematical instruments incapable of understanding words. Undeterred by their doubts, Hopper set out to prove them wrong by designing a program that could translate written commands into machine language.
  3. 3To construct such a translator, she first had to design a method that could retrieve pre-recorded mathematical subroutines from magnetic tape and link them together. By organizing these pre-written code segments, her system could automatically assemble a complete program without requiring programmers to rewrite code for standard operations.
  4. 4This experimental linker paved the way for the culmination of her efforts: the A-0 System, which she completed in 1952. As the world's first compiler, this pioneering software automated the translation process, laying the foundation for modern, high-level programming languages.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with the paragraph introducing the early days of computing and Grace Hopper's goal, followed by the paragraph detailing the skepticism toward this visionary proposal, then the paragraph explaining the method of constructing such a translator, and ending with the paragraph presenting the A-0 System as the culmination of this experimental linker.
The correct logical order begins with the paragraph introducing Grace Hopper's initial proposal to write code in English. This is followed by the paragraph describing the peers' skepticism toward 'this visionary proposal' and Hopper's decision to design a translation program. Next comes the paragraph detailing how 'such a translator' was constructed by linking subroutines. Finally, the paragraph describing 'this experimental linker' completing the A-0 System in 1952 represents the culmination of her efforts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory paragraph of the passage.
The paragraph starting with 'In the early days of computing...' is the only one that establishes the overall context and introduces the subject, Grace Hopper, without relying on transition words or reference words.
An essay must begin with general context and introduction before introducing specific developments or counterarguments.
2
Connect the introduction to the next logical step using transition clues.
The paragraph beginning with 'However, this visionary proposal...' connects to the end of the first paragraph because 'this visionary proposal' refers back to Hopper's belief that programmers should write instructions in English.
Demonstrative pronouns must immediately follow their logical noun referents to maintain flow.
3
Determine the technical development sequence from the remaining paragraphs.
The paragraph starting with 'To construct such a translator...' must follow the proposal of a translation program at the end of the second paragraph, as 'such a translator' refers to that program.
Specific construction steps must follow the proposal of the tool being built.
4
Identify the concluding paragraph that resolves the sequence.
The paragraph starting with 'This experimental linker...' refers to the linking method described in the third paragraph and completes the timeline by introducing the finished A-0 System in 1952.
The final product and long-term impact serve as the culmination of the development process described in the preceding paragraphs.

Key Concept

Paragraph Reordering and Placement
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Paragraph Reordering and Placement

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