The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Of course. Based on the text provided in the image, here is the correct answer and a detailed explanation.
The correct answer is D: It provides a concluding detail that emphasizes the importance of Trumpler’s work.
Explanation
The passage describes the pivotal work of astronomer Robert Trumpler in 1930. The text builds a clear narrative: Trumpler observed a problem (distant stars were dimmer and redder than expected), he proposed a cause (interstellar dust that scatters blue light more than red light), and his findings provided the first conclusive evidence for this interstellar medium. The core of the passage is about the discovery and its scientific explanation.
The function of the final, underlined sentence must be understood in the context of this entire narrative. This sentence, “The area of the sky he studied is now sometimes called ‘Trumpler’s Window’ because it is a region with relatively little dust, allowing for a clearer view into the Milky Way,” serves as a powerful concluding statement. It does not introduce a new scientific concept but instead illustrates the legacy of Trumpler’s discovery.
Option D is the best choice because having a specific region of the sky named in your honor is a significant tribute that highlights the lasting impact of your contribution. This detail solidifies the importance of Trumpler’s findings for the field of astronomy. It shows his work was not just a forgotten paper but a foundational discovery that continues to be relevant for astronomers who use this “window” for observations.
The other options are incorrect for specific reasons. Option A is the opposite of the truth; the detail enhances, not diminishes, his work’s significance. Option B is also incorrect because the detail about the window is directly relevant to the main topic of interstellar dust. Option C is subtly wrong; the window is an example of a place with very little interstellar reddening, not an illustration of the process itself. Therefore, the sentence’s primary function is to provide a final, memorable piece of evidence demonstrating the enduring importance of Trumpler’s contribution.
