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Difficulty: MediumSelecting Concluding Sentences and Transitions

In 1952, computer pioneer Grace Hopper developed the first compiler, a revolutionary program that translated English-like commands into machine-readable code. Prior to this invention, programming required writing tedious strings of numbers or symbols, a task prone to human error and restricted to a small group of mathematicians. By allowing programmers to write in a language closer to human speech, Hopper’s compiler democratized software development and laid the groundwork for modern programming languages. [4]

Which choice best concludes the paragraph at [4] by emphasizing the long-term impact of Hopper’s compiler on the field of computer science?

  1. A
    Consequently, Hopper later retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of rear admiral, a career that also saw her receive numerous military honors.
  2. B
    As a result, programmers could write code much faster, this shift led to the creation of the first operating systems.
  3. This innovation shifted the programming landscape, enabling the rapid technological growth of the digital age.Answer
  4. D
    This breakthrough revolutionized the tech sector, and it helps launch the software industry that exists today.

Answer

This innovation shifted the programming landscape, enabling the rapid technological growth of the digital age.
The correct option effectively summarizes the overall theme of the paragraph—the democratization of programming due to Hopper's compiler—and highlights its long-term legacy on the digital age without introducing grammatical errors or off-topic information.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the paragraph's main theme and the requirements of the prompt.
The paragraph details how Hopper's compiler made programming more accessible. The prompt asks for a concluding sentence emphasizing its long-term impact on computer science.
Identifying the central idea ensures that the selected conclusion is relevant and logical.
2
Evaluate each option for grammatical correctness and relevance.
The option referencing naval retirement is irrelevant. The option about writing code faster contains a comma splice. The option mentioning that the breakthrough helps launch the industry shifts tenses incorrectly.
ACT English questions require conclusions to be both contextually appropriate and grammatically correct.
3
Select the option that is grammatically correct and summarizes the compiler's historical significance.
The choice describing the shift in the programming landscape and the resulting technological growth of the digital age is chosen.
This choice successfully ties the paragraph's details to the compiler's long-term legacy.

Key Concept

Selecting Concluding Sentences and Transitions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Selecting Concluding Sentences and Transitions

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