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Question

Difficulty: EasyEstablishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

Given the following paragraph:

[1] __________________. In 1943, Cousteau and engineer Émile Gagnan co-invented the Aqua-Lung, an open-circuit scuba technology. This revolutionary device allowed divers to breathe underwater without being tethered to a surface air supply. Armed with this new freedom, Cousteau spent decades filming underwater documentaries, bringing the mysteries of the deep ocean into the living rooms of millions of viewers worldwide.

Which choice provides the most effective introduction to the paragraph?

  1. French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau transformed our understanding of the oceans through his inventions and explorations.Answer
  2. B
    Jacques Cousteau was a famous explorer, he loved the ocean from a very young age.
  3. C
    Because the invention of the Aqua-Lung changed diving forever in the middle of the twentieth century.
  4. D
    The collection of documentaries produced by Cousteau highlight the diversity of marine species.

Answer

French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau transformed our understanding of the oceans through his inventions and explorations.
The correct option is grammatically correct and successfully previews the paragraph's dual focus on technological invention (the Aqua-Lung) and ocean exploration (his documentaries).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary topics discussed in the paragraph's body sentences.
The paragraph details the co-invention of the Aqua-Lung (an invention) and the subsequent filming of underwater documentaries (explorations).
An effective introduction must establish the paragraph's main focus by previewing these key elements.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the choices to eliminate structurally incorrect sentences.
One option contains a comma splice, another is a dependent clause fragment, and a third contains a subject-verb agreement error where a singular subject is paired with a plural verb.
ACT English questions require that the chosen option be grammatically correct.
3
Choose the grammatically correct option that best introduces the dual focus of the paragraph.
The statement describing Cousteau's transformation of our understanding of the oceans through inventions and explorations is both grammatically correct and thematic.
It encapsulates both the technological development and the oceanographic exploration detailed in the paragraph.

Key Concept

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements
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Topics

Establishing Introductions and Thesis Statements

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