16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardFunction of a final sentence that revises the reason

Craft and Structure practice question

The observatory's telescope was the largest in the world for exactly two years, until a bigger one opened in the next valley. Its builders had known the rival was coming. They built anyway, reasoning that two years at the top would attract the astronomers whose work would matter for decades. They were right, though not in the way they expected: the astronomers came for the telescope and stayed for the dark sky, which this valley has kept and the rival's has not.

Which choice best describes the function of the final sentence?

  1. A. It confirms that the builders' gamble paid off while revising the reason that it did.Correct
  2. B. It states that the builders' reasoning was mistaken and the gamble failed.
  3. C. It describes the design of the rival telescope.
  4. D. It explains how the telescope was constructed.

Answer: A. It confirms that the builders' gamble paid off while revising the reason that it did.

'They were right, though not in the way they expected' — the outcome matched the hope, but the cause was the dark sky, not the telescope's size.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It states that the builders' reasoning was mistaken and the gamble failed.
The sentence says they were right.
C. It describes the design of the rival telescope.
The rival is mentioned only for its brighter sky.
D. It explains how the telescope was constructed.
Construction isn't described.

More Craft and Structure questions

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