Upon architect Julian Thorne’s return to London in 1950 after years in Brazil, his design aesthetic shifted dramatically. Abandoning the ornate, Victorian-inspired brickwork—a style characterized by intricate masonry and decorative flourishes—Thorne began designing public housing in a stark, Brutalist style. Reminiscent of concrete bunkers and functional industrial structures, these new buildings featured raw concrete facades and rigid geometric forms.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
It explains the economic reasons behind Thorne’s change in style.
It contrasts Thorne’s new style with the style of his peers.
It elaborates on the previous sentence’s mention of a shift in Thorne’s architectural approach.
It argues that Thorne’s time in Brazil had a negative impact on his career.
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The previous sentence states his style "underwent an abrupt transformation." The underlined sentence elaborates on this by describing exactly what he stopped doing (Victorian) and what he began doing (Brutalist).
Choice A is incorrect. It describes the aesthetic change, not economic reasons. Choice B is incorrect. It compares Thorne’s old style to his new style, not to other architects. Choice D is incorrect. It describes a change, not a negative impact on his career.