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Question

Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

A writer is editing an essay about the civil engineer John Smeaton.

In 1756, Smeaton took on the challenge of rebuilding the Eddystone Lighthouse, which had repeatedly been destroyed by the brutal waves of the English Channel. He realized that traditional wooden structures and standard mortar were insufficient to withstand the sea's relentless power. To solve this, Smeaton pioneered the use of interlocking granite blocks and developed a revolutionary hydraulic lime mortar that cured under water. This innovative combination of materials and design allowed the structure to withstand the constant pounding of the sea.

Given that all the choices are true, which choice provides the most specific, concrete evidence to support the claim that Smeaton's design was exceptionally durable?

  1. A
    ensured that Smeaton would gain immense fame throughout Britain, eventually earning him the title of the father of civil engineering.
  2. B
    guaranteed the lighthouse did not collapse, it stood completely firm against the waves.
  3. enabled the lighthouse to stand undamaged for over one hundred years until the rock beneath it began to wear away.Answer
  4. D
    kept the lighthouse standing and secure, resisting damage and remaining intact without being destroyed.

Answer

enabled the lighthouse to stand undamaged for over one hundred years until the rock beneath it began to wear away.
The correct option provides concrete and specific historical details ('over one hundred years' and 'until the rock beneath it began to wear away') that directly demonstrate the exceptional durability of the lighthouse's design.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt to identify the specific writing goal.
The prompt asks for a choice that provides the most specific, concrete evidence supporting the durability of the lighthouse's design.
Understanding the exact rhetorical goal ensures we select an option that answers the question directly rather than one that is simply true.
2
Evaluate the choices for specificity and relevance to the claim of durability.
The option about standing undamaged for over a century until the rock itself wore away provides concrete, measurable historical proof of durability. The option about Smeaton's fame is irrelevant to structural strength. The other options are either redundant or grammatically incorrect.
This step eliminates options that fail to provide specific evidence or contain errors.

Key Concept

Supporting claims with specific, concrete evidence and details
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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