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Difficulty: MediumOpening and Concluding Sentences

The following sentences are from a paragraph about computer pioneer Grace Hopper. Arrange the sentences in the most logical order to create a cohesive paragraph, paying close attention to which sentences function as the most effective introduction and conclusion.

  1. 1Today, programmers write code in high-level languages that resemble human speech, but this ease of use was made possible only by the pioneering work of Grace Hopper.
  2. 2In the early days of computing, programmers had to write instructions in tedious, error-prone binary machine language.
  3. 3Recognizing this limitation, Hopper developed the A-0 compiler, a revolutionary program that translated human-readable mathematical symbols into binary code.
  4. 4This breakthrough allowed developers to write code much faster and with fewer mistakes.
  5. 5By bridging the gap between human communication and machine execution, Hopper's invention laid the groundwork for all modern programming languages.

Answer

The paragraph begins with the statement introducing modern high-level programming and Grace Hopper, moves to the historical context of tedious binary programming, transitions to the creation of the A-0 compiler, describes the immediate benefits of faster coding, and concludes with a summary of the compiler's lasting legacy.
The correct order establishes a logical progression: it begins with a general modern context, introduces a historical problem, explains the solution, details the immediate benefit of that solution, and concludes with the long-term impact, neatly returning to the modern context mentioned in the introduction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory sentence.
The sentence introducing the contrast between modern high-level programming and the work of Grace Hopper is selected.
An effective introduction must establish the paragraph's main subject and context without referencing prior sentences.
2
Select the sentence establishing the historical problem.
The sentence about early programmers working in tedious binary language is placed next.
This provides the necessary historical background to understand why Hopper's later work was necessary.
3
Connect the problem to the solution.
The sentence introducing the A-0 compiler as a response to 'this limitation' is placed third.
The phrase 'this limitation' forms a logical cohesive link back to the tedious binary language described in the previous sentence.
4
Trace the immediate results of the solution.
The sentence stating that 'this breakthrough' allowed faster coding is placed fourth.
The phrase 'this breakthrough' directly references the newly introduced A-0 compiler.
5
Identify the concluding sentence.
The sentence summarizing how the invention laid the groundwork for all modern programming languages is placed last.
An effective concluding sentence wraps up the narrative arc, uses transition words indicating finality, and echoes the introductory focus on modern high-level languages.

Key Concept

Determining logical paragraph flow by identifying sentences that establish initial context (introductions) and summarize the overall significance of the topic (conclusions).
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Opening and Concluding Sentences

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