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Question

Difficulty: EasyParagraph-Level Transitions

The following paragraphs are from an essay about the invention of the barcode.

In 1948, graduate student Bernard Silver overheard a grocery store executive asking for a system that could automatically record product information at checkout. Silver teamed up with his classmate Norman Joseph Woodland to solve the problem. Their first prototype utilized ultraviolet ink to create patterns, but this method proved too expensive and easily faded over time.

[1] _____ Inspired by Morse code, Woodland realized he could extend the dots and dashes vertically to create thin and thick lines. By shining a light bulb through the paper lines onto a sensor, the inventors successfully read their first barcode.

Which choice provides the most logical transition from the preceding paragraph to the paragraph that follows?

  1. To find a more practical method, Woodland began brainstorming new patterns.Answer
  2. B
    The ink prototype was a failure, they had to start over from scratch.
  3. C
    After they abandon the ink idea, Woodland looked for inspiration elsewhere.
  4. D
    Furthermore, grocery stores were becoming extremely popular across the country.

Answer

To find a more practical method, Woodland began brainstorming new patterns.
The correct answer provides a logical bridge by connecting the failure of the initial prototype (too expensive and easily faded) to the brainstorming of a new pattern based on Morse code. It is grammatically correct and maintains the established past-tense narrative style of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the end of the first paragraph and the beginning of the second paragraph.
The first paragraph ends by explaining that the ultraviolet ink prototype failed because it was too expensive and faded. The second paragraph begins with Woodland finding inspiration in Morse code to create a vertical line design.
Understanding the surrounding context is necessary to determine the logical connection that the transition must make.
2
Identify the relationship between these two points.
The transition needs to bridge the failure of the first design with the search/brainstorming process that led to the second design.
A good transition must connect the ideas of both paragraphs smoothly.
3
Evaluate the choices for grammatical correctness and logical flow.
The option beginning with 'To find a more practical method' provides a smooth, grammatically correct transition. Other options introduce grammatical errors like comma splices or tense shifts, or use incorrect transitional words like 'Furthermore' with irrelevant details.
Eliminating options with grammatical and rhetorical errors isolates the correct choice.

Key Concept

Paragraph-Level Transitions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Paragraph-Level Transitions

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