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Craft and StructureMediumFunction of a concluding comparison

Craft and Structure practice question

Medieval scribes copying a text would sometimes add a note in the margin — a complaint about the cold, a joke, a prayer for the copying to end. Modern programmers do the same thing in the comments of their code. Across eight centuries, people doing tedious, careful work have left the same small traces of themselves.

Which choice best describes the function of the final sentence?

  1. A. It draws a general conclusion from the two examples about people doing painstaking work.Correct
  2. B. It argues that programmers should not write comments.
  3. C. It explains how manuscripts were copied.
  4. D. It contrasts scribes with programmers.

Answer: A. It draws a general conclusion from the two examples about people doing painstaking work.

Two examples, then 'across eight centuries, people … have left the same small traces': the generalisation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It argues that programmers should not write comments.
No such argument.
C. It explains how manuscripts were copied.
Copying is mentioned, not explained.
D. It contrasts scribes with programmers.
The sentence unites them rather than contrasting them.

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