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Difficulty: MediumPrimary Purpose of the Whole Text

Prior to the late nineteenth century, timekeeping in the United States was highly localized, with cities setting their clocks based on the sun's meridian. This arrangement sufficed for regional economies but proved chaotic for the expanding railroad network, where unsynchronized schedules led to frequent delays and collisions. In 1883, major railroad companies bypassed legislative inertia and unilaterally established four standard time zones across the continent. Although some municipalities initially resisted this corporate imposition, protesting that it interfered with natural cycles, the efficiency gains for national commerce and travel were undeniable. Within a few decades, standard time transitioned from a private regulatory convenience to a globally accepted public utility, permanently altering the human relationship with daily routines.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

  1. A
    To argue that industrial progress inevitably requires human societies to abandon natural cycles.
  2. B
    To highlight the conflict between local municipalities and major railroad corporations in the late nineteenth century.
  3. To outline the historical transition from localized timekeeping to a standardized system driven by practical necessity.Answer
  4. D
    To describe the safety hazards that early railroads faced due to unsynchronized schedules.

Answer

To outline the historical transition from localized timekeeping to a standardized system driven by practical necessity.
The correct option correctly states the primary purpose of the text. The passage describes the progression from highly localized timekeeping to the creation of four standard time zones in 1883 by railroad companies facing scheduling chaos, and explains how this system eventually grew into a globally accepted public utility. Thus, the passage as a whole traces the historical change from localized to standardized time.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main topic of the passage.
The passage discusses the transition from localized solar timekeeping to a unified system of standard time zones.
Understanding the subject matter helps narrow down the scope of the primary purpose.
2
Analyze how the author structures the narrative.
The passage moves chronologically from the initial problem (railroad schedule confusion) to the solution (railroad companies establishing standard time zones) to the long-term result (global adoption as a public utility).
Tracing the structure allows us to determine what the passage as a whole accomplishes.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against this structure.
The choice stating that the text outlines the transition from local to standard time fits the entire passage, whereas the others focus on minor details or overbroad ideas.
This ensures the correct option summarizes the entire text rather than just a single part.

Key Concept

Primary Purpose of the Whole Text
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Primary Purpose of the Whole Text

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