Question

Difficulty: HardSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

[1] In the twelfth century, polymath Al-Jazari pioneered advanced mechanical engineering, documenting his designs in the *Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices*. [2] His work was not merely theoretical; rather, he prioritized constructing functional machines that automated everyday tasks and entertained the royal court. [3] To demonstrate the sophistication of his water-powered automata, he designed a musical boat containing robotic musicians that floated on a lake. [4] These elaborate creations laid the foundational principles of modern robotics and hydraulics.

The writer wants to revise the underlined portion of sentence 3 (shown below in brackets) to provide the most specific, concrete visual details that illustrate the mechanical complexity and entertainment value of the automaton:

'To demonstrate the sophistication of his water-powered automata, he [designed a musical boat containing robotic musicians that floated on a lake].'

Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

  1. engineered a floating wooden vessel featuring four automated musicians—including a harpist and two drummers���whose limbs moved via camshafts to play distinct rhythmic patterns.Answer
  2. B
    created a decorative vessel that traveled across the royal palace's artificial lake while playing musical tunes to entertain the ruler's guests.
  3. C
    fashioned an aquatic boat with mechanical puppets inside that would perform songs, which was accomplished by using a system of water power.
  4. D
    constructed an automated boat with mechanical figures playing instruments, they performed complex songs using water pressure.

Answer

The option that describes engineering a floating wooden vessel with four automated musicians—including a harpist and two drummers—whose limbs moved via camshafts to play distinct rhythmic patterns.
The correct option provides concrete, specific visual details ('wooden vessel,' 'four automated musicians—including a harpist and two drummers') and precise mechanical descriptors ('limbs moved via camshafts,' 'distinct rhythmic patterns') that directly illustrate the mechanical complexity and entertainment value of the automaton. This aligns perfectly with the rhetorical goal of providing specific, concrete details.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt's specific rhetorical goal.
The prompt requires selecting details that are 'specific' and 'concrete' and that illustrate 'mechanical complexity' and 'entertainment value'.
Understanding the constraints of the prompt is necessary to distinguish the correct option from grammatically correct distractors.
2
Eliminate options with grammatical errors.
The option containing a comma splice ('playing instruments, they performed') is eliminated.
ACT English questions require all correct answers to be grammatically correct, even if they contain relevant content.
3
Evaluate the remaining options for specificity and concrete detail.
The option describing 'four automated musicians... limbs moved via camshafts... distinct rhythmic patterns' provides precise, technical, and visual details, while the other options use general terms like 'decorative vessel' or wordy phrasings.
Comparing the degree of detail allows identification of the choice that best fulfills the prompt's rhetorical requirement.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
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