Set 8: Text Structure (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
The silk trade route connected East and West, facilitating not just the exchange of goods, but of ideas. Religions, technologies, and diseases all traveled along this network.
Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question tests your understanding of how the text is organized. Sentence 1 mentions exchange of 'ideas'. Sentence 2 lists them: Religions, technologies, diseases (expanding the concept). Authors structure their writing purposefully to guide readers through their ideas. Identify the organizational pattern (cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution) and how each part contributes to the whole. Authors choose organizational patterns deliberately to enhance their message. Recognizing whether a text uses chronological order, cause-effect, compare-contrast, or problem-solution helps you understand the author's purpose and follow the logic.
Key Evidence:
• "not just... goods, but of ideas"
• "Religions, technologies..."
Why others are wrong: C (Doesn't contradict.), D (Religion and tech are not inherently negative.), A (Closure not mentioned.).
🎯 Keep Practicing!
Master all sections for your best SAT score