Manhattan seems to sprout shiny new skyscrapers an easily as a garden grows weeds, but despite the modern appearance of the concrete jungle at the heart of New York City every engineer knows that before breaking ground, they need to step back in time, with the help of Viele’s map.
1865, Egert Viele, a cull engineer and Chill War veteran who surveyed the land for Central Park and later served in Congress, published a map that is still crucial almost 160 years later. His map showed all the original marshes and waterways of Manhattan Even today, engineers rely on his work to determine still conditions and any underground water that sows through a building site, potentially undermining foundations.
Which of the following pieces of evidence from the text supports the conclusion that Viele’s work had an impact on the development of Manhattan Island?
A.
Central Park continues to food, which Viele set out to prevent with his map
B.
Viele proposed that structures be made with locally made concrete mixed with water sources on the island
C.
Resident of Manhattan island find it easy to grow gardens due to the well-established water map.
D.
Builders must analyse potential sites for stability, which affects the building type and zoning options
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Builders must analyze potential sites for stability, which affects the building type and zoning options.
Explanation:
The text describes how Egert Viele’s map, published in 1865, continues to play a crucial role in modern engineering and construction on Manhattan Island. Here’s how each answer choice relates to the impact of Viele’s work:
A. Central Park continues to flood, which Viele set out to prevent with his map.
This choice suggests that Viele’s map was intended to prevent flooding in Central Park. However, the text does not indicate that the map was designed specifically to address flooding in Central Park. Instead, it mentions that Viele’s map showed the original marshes and waterways of Manhattan, which is more related to understanding the foundational conditions of the land rather than preventing specific floods in Central Park.
B. Viele proposed that structures be made with locally made concrete mixed with water sources on the island.
There is no evidence in the text to support this statement. It does not mention anything about Viele proposing specific building materials or techniques.
C. Residents of Manhattan Island find it easy to grow gardens due to the well-established water map.
The text does not discuss gardening or its ease in Manhattan. The map’s relevance is related to construction and understanding the land’s conditions rather than gardening.
D. Builders must analyze potential sites for stability, which affects the building type and zoning options.
This choice directly connects to the impact of Viele’s work. The text highlights that engineers and builders use Viele’s map to understand the original marshes and waterways to assess current conditions and potential issues, such as underground water that could affect building stability. The map’s information helps in evaluating the stability of building sites, which influences the type of buildings that can be constructed and the zoning options available. This aligns with the text’s implication that Viele’s map has ongoing relevance in construction and engineering.
Thus, D is the best choice as it clearly reflects the practical application of Viele’s map in contemporary building practices and site assessments, demonstrating the enduring impact of his work on the development of Manhattan.