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Difficulty: HardInferring Author Tone and Attitude

The navy’s hasty adoption of uninsulated high-pressure steam lines across early dreadnought refits was heralded by quartermasters as a triumph of thermal efficiency. In practice, however, these brittle conduits routinely warped under the shudder of heavy sea swells, leaving engine crews to labor in sweltering, hazardous compartments. While the retrofits marginally increased transit speeds, celebrating such incremental gains overlooks the severe operational perils imposed on the personnel below deck. Real advancement demands that structural reliability and crew survivability take precedence over narrow mechanical metrics.

Which of the following best describes the author's attitude toward the dreadnought steam line refits?

  1. A
    Impartially descriptive regarding the historical development of warship steam systems
  2. Critical of prioritizing marginal performance gains over crew safetyAnswer
  3. C
    Enthusiastic about the notable thermal efficiency achieved during refits
  4. D
    Dismissive of any technological modernization within the fleet

Answer

Critical of prioritizing marginal performance gains over crew safety
The author directly critiques the dreadnought refit program, emphasizing that the 'marginal' increase in transit speeds was outweighed by hazardous working conditions and brittle components, concluding that crew safety must take priority over narrow mechanical metrics.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the author's diction and contrasting viewpoints in the passage
The author contrasts the praise of quartermasters ('heralded... as a triumph') with negative realities ('hasty,' 'brittle,' 'hazardous compartments').
Tone is determined by examining word choices, qualifiers, and shifts in perspective.
2
Evaluate the concluding assertion representing the author's core stance
The author concludes that 'celebrating such incremental gains overlooks severe operational perils' and that 'crew survivability' must take precedence.
The concluding sentences summarize the author's evaluative judgment of the refits.
3
Match the synthesized attitude to the corresponding descriptive choice
The stance reflects clear disapproval and criticism of trading safety for minor performance increases.
Selecting the option that accurately captures the nuanced critical stance without exaggerating it into total opposition to technology.

Key Concept

Inferring Author Tone and Attitude
Estimated Time:1m 5s
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Inferring Author Tone and Attitude

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