16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardFunction of a sentence in a passage about a letter

Craft and Structure practice question

The letter is dated only 'Tuesday', which has kept it undatable for a century. But it mentions a comet 'bright over the bay tonight', and comets keep diaries of their own. Astronomers can place every bright comet of the period to the night. The letter, it turns out, was written on 14 October 1858, and nothing else in it has to be guessed at any more.

Which choice best describes the function of the sentence "Astronomers can place every bright comet of the period to the night" in the text as a whole?

  1. A. It supplies the fact that makes the comet a usable clue to the letter's date.Correct
  2. B. It describes the appearance of the comet.
  3. C. It explains why the letter says only 'Tuesday'.
  4. D. It argues that astronomers should study letters.

Answer: A. It supplies the fact that makes the comet a usable clue to the letter's date.

Comets are dated; so the letter can be.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It describes the appearance of the comet.
No appearance.
C. It explains why the letter says only 'Tuesday'.
The reason for 'Tuesday' is not given.
D. It argues that astronomers should study letters.
No such argument.

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