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Difficulty: EasyRhetorical Functions of Sentences and Paragraphs

For decades, astronomers believed that Pluto was a unique, isolated outlier at the edge of our solar system. However, in 1992, the discovery of Albion—the first object detected in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune—completely altered this perspective. Albion was not alone; soon, researchers found thousands of other icy bodies orbiting in the same distant region. This discovery forced scientists to re-evaluate Pluto's status, eventually leading to its reclassification as a dwarf planet. Rather than an odd anomaly, Pluto was revealed to be merely one of the largest members of a vast, previously unseen population of icy worlds.

In the context of the passage, what is the primary rhetorical function of the second sentence ('However, in 1992... this perspective')?

  1. A
    It lists the technical instruments and scientific methods used by astronomers to find Albion.
  2. B
    It states the name of the first object discovered in the Kuiper Belt and the year of its discovery.
  3. It introduces the key discovery that challenged a long-held scientific belief about Pluto's uniqueness.Answer
  4. D
    It transitions the discussion by arguing that Pluto is not actually part of our solar system.

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating that the sentence introduces the key discovery that challenged a long-held scientific belief about Pluto's uniqueness.
The correct answer is correct because the second sentence introduces the discovery of Albion, which serves to challenge the previous idea (introduced in the first sentence) that Pluto was an isolated outlier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context before the target sentence.
The first sentence establishes the long-held belief: astronomers thought Pluto was unique and isolated at the edge of the solar system.
Understanding the preceding context helps identify what belief is being transitioned or challenged by the target sentence.
2
Analyze the target sentence itself.
The sentence begins with 'However' and states that the 1992 discovery of Albion 'completely altered this perspective.'
This transition word and description show that the sentence functions as a turning point, introducing the evidence that changed the original belief.
3
Distinguish between literal summary and rhetorical function.
While the sentence literally mentions Albion and 1992, its functional purpose in the passage's argument is to introduce the shift in scientific perspective.
ACT Reading questions test the functional role of the sentence in developing the author's point, rather than just repeating its literal facts.

Key Concept

Rhetorical Functions of Sentences and Paragraphs
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Topics

Rhetorical Functions of Sentences and Paragraphs

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