During World War I, female switchboard operators known as the "Hello Girls" played a crucial role in military communications. At the time, the telephone was the primary means of coordinating troop movements. The speed of the war required rapid connections, conferring great responsibility on the operators: if they were slow, soldiers could die. The women proved highly efficient, and commanders, anxious to maintain the flow of information, relied on them heavily. Thus, the war provided a platform for women to demonstrate their professional competence in a high-stakes environment.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
It elaborates on the high stakes of the operators' job mentioned earlier.
It contradicts the idea that the telephone was important.
It suggests that the commanders were incompetent.
It provides a biography of a specific operator.
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text earlier states speed was required. The underlined part explains why: "if they were slow, soldiers could die." This elaborates on the high stakes.
Choice B is incorrect. It confirms the telephone was vital. Choice C is incorrect. It says commanders relied on them, not that commanders were incompetent. Choice D is incorrect. It discusses operators as a group, not one person.