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Difficulty: EasyPart-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

In the early twentieth century, the introduction of the assembly line revolutionized manufacturing by breaking down complex assembly tasks into simple, repetitive steps. Proponents of this system argued that it would drastically reduce production costs and make consumer goods affordable for the general public. However, critics quickly pointed out that the monotony of such repetitive labor led to high worker turnover and diminished job satisfaction, prompting some factories to introduce rotating shifts.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

  1. A
    It provides historical data demonstrating that consumer goods became significantly cheaper due to assembly lines.
  2. B
    It details the primary method that factory owners used to resolve the issues caused by repetitive assembly line labor.
  3. It presents a predicted benefit of a manufacturing process that is subsequently contrasted with a negative consequence.Answer
  4. D
    It summarizes the main conclusion of the passage regarding the overall success of twentieth-century industrialization.

Answer

The correct answer states that the underlined sentence presents a predicted benefit of a manufacturing process that is subsequently contrasted with a negative consequence.
The underlined sentence states that proponents argued the assembly line would lower costs and make goods affordable, which is a predicted benefit. The passage immediately contrasts this benefit with a drawback: the monotony of the labor leading to high turnover and low satisfaction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined sentence to identify its meaning and function.
The underlined sentence discusses how proponents of the assembly line believed it would reduce costs and make goods more affordable, which represents a predicted benefit.
Understanding the function of the specific sentence is the first step in determining its relation to the whole.
2
Analyze the sentences surrounding the underlined sentence to see how they relate to it.
The next sentence begins with 'However' and describes criticisms of the assembly line, showing that the predicted benefits are contrasted with negative consequences.
This establishes the contextual relationship of the underlined sentence to the rest of the passage.
3
Compare these findings to the choices to find the one that describes this relationship.
The choice stating that the sentence presents a predicted benefit contrasted with a negative consequence matches the passage's structure.
Selecting the option that matches the logical role of the underlined sentence completes the question.

Key Concept

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

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