16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardFunction of a closing sentence about motive

Craft and Structure practice question

The village's annual bread festival began, the brochures say, in the fourteenth century. The earliest record of it is a newspaper advertisement from 1923. Perhaps the medieval origin is real and the records were lost; perhaps a 1920s committee invented a tradition to bring in visitors. The brochures, either way, are selling the version that sells.

Which choice best describes the function of the final sentence?

  1. A. It suggests that the festival's promoters have a reason to prefer the older origin story, whichever story is true.Correct
  2. B. It confirms that the festival began in the fourteenth century.
  3. C. It proves that the festival was invented in 1923.
  4. D. It criticises the newspaper for its advertisement.

Answer: A. It suggests that the festival's promoters have a reason to prefer the older origin story, whichever story is true.

'Either way' sets the truth aside; 'the version that sells' names the brochures' motive.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It confirms that the festival began in the fourteenth century.
The sentence leaves the origin open.
C. It proves that the festival was invented in 1923.
The sentence doesn't settle the origin either way.
D. It criticises the newspaper for its advertisement.
The newspaper is only the source of the earliest record.

More Craft and Structure questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.