Question

Difficulty: MediumAnalyzing Author Purpose, Perspective, and Tone

Read the following passage:

The weekly transformation of Bogotá’s bustling avenues into the Ciclovía—a car-free haven for cyclists and pedestrians—is more than a municipal recreation program; it is a profound reclamation of public space. While skeptics initially argued that closing major thoroughfares would paralyze the city's commerce and traffic, the initiative has instead fostered an unprecedented sense of social cohesion across historically divided neighborhoods. By prioritizing people over automobiles, even if only for a few hours each Sunday, the city offers a silent but powerful critique of the modern, car-centric urban landscape, proving that cities can indeed breathe and connect.

Based on the passage, which of the following best describes the author's primary purpose?

  1. To praise the Ciclovía's transformative impact on social integration and urban design.Answer
  2. B
    To outline the logistical challenges and economic costs of implementing car-free zones.
  3. C
    To present neutral, statistical evidence regarding weekend traffic patterns in Bogotá.
  4. D
    To criticize local policymakers for failing to implement permanent cycling lanes.

Answer

To praise the Ciclovía's transformative impact on social integration and urban design.
The correct answer accurately reflects the author's positive perspective and tone. Throughout the text, the author uses highly appreciative language to outline how the Sunday street closures have successfully reclaimed public spaces and brought diverse communities together, framing it as a model for human-centric urban design.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the author's main argument and key descriptive vocabulary in the passage.
The author uses positive terms like 'profound reclamation,' 'unprecedented sense of social cohesion,' and 'proving that cities can indeed breathe' to describe the Ciclovía.
This establishes that the author has a favorable, non-neutral stance toward the initiative.
2
Evaluate the function of opposing viewpoints mentioned in the passage.
The mention of skeptics' concerns about traffic and commerce is introduced only to be immediately refuted ('the initiative has instead fostered...').
This shows that the primary purpose is not to discuss logistical problems, but to highlight how those problems were overcome by positive social outcomes.
3
Match the identified tone and main argument to the correct option.
The option highlighting the praise of the program's social and urban impact matches the author's celebratory purpose.
It aligns with both the tone (supportive/praising) and the main focus (social integration and urban space reclamation) of the excerpt.

Key Concept

Analyzing Author Purpose, Perspective, and Tone
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question