Examkin

Organization, Unity, and Cohesion

302 questions

All types302Multiple choice231Ordering71
Question 301Question →

The paragraphs below are from a draft of an essay about the invention of the dishwasher. Arrange the paragraphs in the most logical order to create a coherent essay.

Drag items to arrange them in the correct order

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct order of paragraphs begins with the paragraph introducing the inventor and prototype in 1886, followed by the paragraph describing the public debut at the 1893 exposition, then the paragraph about founding a company to market to hotels, and finishes with the paragraph contrasting commercial success with slow domestic adoption.
The essay is most logically organized when it begins with the paragraph introducing Josephine Cochrane in 1886 and her prototype. Next, the paragraph about the 1893 exposition follows, using 'Her design' to refer back to the invention and progressing chronologically. This is followed by the paragraph about founding a company to build on that success by marketing to hotels. Finally, the paragraph starting with 'However' contrasts this commercial success with the slow adoption in private homes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory paragraph of the essay.
The paragraph introducing Josephine Cochrane in 1886 and the creation of her initial prototype serves as the natural beginning.
It establishes the historical background and the main subject of the essay.
2
Find the logical next step in the chronology of the invention.
The paragraph describing the public debut of the design at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition follows the 1886 introduction.
The phrase 'Her design' in this paragraph refers back to the machine designed in the introductory paragraph, and 1893 follows 1886 chronologically.
3
Determine the step showing how she capitalized on the public recognition.
The paragraph about founding a company to manufacture and market the machines to hotels and restaurants follows the exposition debut.
The commercial effort directly builds upon the recognition and validation described in the paragraph about the World's Fair.
4
Identify the final paragraph using transition words and thematic contrast.
The paragraph beginning with 'However, domestic adoption remained slow' is placed last.
The transition word 'However' contrasts the successful sales to hotels and restaurants mentioned in the commercialization paragraph with the sluggish adoption in residential homes.

Key Concept

Paragraph Reordering and Placement
Question 302Question →

The following passage is an excerpt about a historical scientific breakthrough.

An Accidental Color

In 1856, eighteen-year-old chemist William Henry Perkin was attempting to synthesize quinine, a drug used to treat malaria, in his home laboratory. His experiments did not yield the desired medicinal compound; instead, they produced a dark, sticky sludge in his beaker. [1] <u>However,</u> Perkin noticed that the residue left a vibrant purple color on silk when diluted with alcohol. Realizing the commercial potential of this accidental discovery, he patented the substance as mauveine, the world’s first synthetic dye.

Which of the following choices for underlined portion [1] is the most effective transition?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

NO CHANGE
The transition 'However' is correct because it establishes a contrast between the failed experiment (producing useless sludge instead of medicine) and the subsequent breakthrough (discovering that the sludge could be used as a dye).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the sentence before the transition and the sentence containing the transition.
The first sentence describes a failure (not yielding the desired medicinal compound but producing sludge). The second sentence describes a surprising breakthrough (noticing a vibrant purple color on silk).
Understanding the logical connection between the two sentences is necessary to choose the correct transition.
2
Determine the category of transition needed.
The relationship is one of contrast or unexpected pivot, as a failed experiment unexpectedly led to a valuable discovery.
Selecting the correct transition category ensures the narrative makes logical sense to the reader.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that matches this relationship.
'However' is a contrast transition, which fits perfectly. 'Consequently' shows cause-effect, 'Furthermore' shows addition, and 'For instance' shows illustration.
Only 'However' (represented by 'NO CHANGE') correctly establishes the contrast between failure and discovery.

Key Concept

Sentence-Level Transitions
PreviousPage 16 / 16
Organization, Unity, and Cohesion Practice Questions — ACT — Page 16 | Examkin