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Difficulty: HardFulfilling Specific Rhetorical and Writing Goals

The following sentences are from a draft of an essay about ancient acoustics. Arrange the sentences to form a cohesive paragraph that logically transitions from introducing the Theater of Epidaurus to explaining the scientific basis for its unique acoustic properties.

  1. 1In the fourth century BCE, the Greek architect Polykleitos the Younger designed the Theater of Epidaurus, a structure long celebrated for its exceptional acoustic clarity.
  2. 2For centuries, historians and scientists debated how an actor's unamplified voice could carry clearly to the highest tier of seats, located nearly sixty meters from the stage.
  3. 3A breakthrough occurred in 2007 when researchers analyzed the theater's geometry and material composition to investigate this enduring mystery.
  4. 4Their study revealed that the limestone seats function as a natural acoustic filter, absorbing low-frequency background noises while reflecting the high-frequency sounds of the performers.
  5. 5By filtering out the murmurs of the audience and wind, this structural design ensures that even a whisper from the stage is clearly audible to all fourteen thousand spectators.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with the introduction of the Theater of Epidaurus, followed by the historical debate over its acoustics, the introduction of the 2007 research study, the findings of that study regarding the filtering effect of the limestone seats, and finally the practical impact of this filtering on the audience.
The correct paragraph order flows logically from general context to a specific mystery, then to a scientific study investigating that mystery, the specific findings of that study, and finally the real-world implication of those findings. Cohesive links such as 'this enduring mystery' pointing back to the debate, 'Their study' pointing to the researchers, and 'By filtering out' referencing the acoustic filter ensure a smooth, coherent progression.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory sentence.
The sentence introducing the Theater of Epidaurus and its reputation for acoustic clarity must come first to establish the topic.
Readers require the subject to be introduced before exploring any mysteries or scientific investigations related to it.
2
Connect the introduction to the historical problem.
The sentence describing the centuries-long debate about how the actors' voices carry is placed second.
This establishes the central question or mystery that subsequent research will attempt to solve.
3
Identify the transition to modern scientific investigation.
The sentence introducing the 2007 study is placed third.
It uses the demonstrative phrase 'this enduring mystery' to refer directly back to the debate mentioned in the second sentence.
4
Determine the placement of the study's findings.
The sentence explaining how the limestone seats act as a filter is placed fourth.
It begins with 'Their study,' which uses a pronoun that must immediately follow the introduction of the researchers in the third sentence.
5
Establish the concluding impact.
The sentence describing the result of the acoustic filtering is placed last.
It begins with 'By filtering out,' which directly references the 'acoustic filter' mechanism established in the fourth sentence, summarizing the ultimate effect on the audience.

Key Concept

Fulfilling rhetorical goals of organization and cohesion requires arranging sentences so that each sentence logically connects to the preceding one through explicit transitions, pronoun referents, and topic development.
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Topics

Fulfilling Specific Rhetorical and Writing Goals

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