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Question

Difficulty: HardMeeting Specific Rhetorical Goals

Passage Excerpt:
In 1952, computer pioneer Grace Hopper developed the first compiler, a program that translated English-like commands into the binary code understood by computers. Before this invention, programming required writing tedious strings of ones and zeros, a task restricted to a small group of mathematicians. [1] Hopper’s compiler, known as the A-0, paved the way for modern software development.

Given that all the choices are true, which choice best accomplishes the writer's goal of emphasizing how Hopper’s compiler democratized the field of computer programming by making it accessible to those without advanced mathematical training?

  1. A
    The compiler was a major breakthrough, and Hopper would go on to help design COBOL, a language that became widely used in business.
  2. By allowing programmers to write instructions in plain English, the compiler opened the technology to individuals outside of advanced mathematics departments.Answer
  3. C
    Translating commands made programming much less of a chore, this allowed people to code without having to be math geniuses.
  4. D
    Hopper's work on the A-0 compiler took place at the programming corporation Remington Rand, where she led a team of developers.

Answer

The correct option is the one stating that by allowing programmers to write instructions in plain English, the compiler opened the technology to individuals outside of advanced mathematics departments.
The correct choice explains how the compiler functioned (translating instructions into plain English) and directly connects this to making programming accessible to those outside of advanced mathematics, thereby democratizing the field.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt to identify the specific rhetorical goal requested by the writer.
The goal is to show how the compiler democratized programming by making it accessible to individuals without advanced mathematical training.
Understanding the precise criteria of the goal is essential to filtering out irrelevant details.
2
Evaluate each option for grammatical correctness.
The option starting with 'Translating commands' contains a comma splice, making it grammatically incorrect. The other three options are grammatically correct.
ACT English questions require the correct answer to be both grammatically correct and rhetorically appropriate.
3
Evaluate the remaining grammatically correct options against the identified rhetorical goal.
The option starting with 'By allowing programmers' mentions writing instructions in plain English and opening the technology to individuals outside of advanced mathematics, which perfectly aligns with the goal. The options starting with 'The compiler was a major' and 'Hopper's work on the A-0' focus on unrelated details (future achievements and employer details).
Matching the remaining grammatically correct choices to the specific criteria in the prompt reveals the single best answer.

Key Concept

Meeting Specific Rhetorical Goals
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Meeting Specific Rhetorical Goals

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