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Craft and StructureHardFunction of a sentence about a failed experiment

Craft and Structure practice question

In 1856 the chemist William Perkin set out to make quinine, a malaria drug, from coal tar. The experiment failed. But the dark residue left in his flask stained cloth a brilliant purple that did not wash out, and Perkin, then eighteen, recognised what he had: the first synthetic dye. Within a decade the colour was everywhere.

Which choice best describes the function of the sentence "The experiment failed" in the text as a whole?

  1. A. It marks the point at which the intended aim gave way to an unexpected discovery.Correct
  2. B. It explains why quinine could not be made from coal tar.
  3. C. It suggests that Perkin abandoned chemistry.
  4. D. It describes the properties of the dye.

Answer: A. It marks the point at which the intended aim gave way to an unexpected discovery.

The failure sets up the 'but'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It explains why quinine could not be made from coal tar.
No reason is given.
C. It suggests that Perkin abandoned chemistry.
He went on to recognise the dye.
D. It describes the properties of the dye.
The dye is described later.

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