The opening sentence of the second paragraph primarily serves to
A.) introduce attention that the author ultimately resolves.
B.) State a position that the author goes on to refute
C.) question the validity of a claim developed earlier in the passage.
D.) make an assertion that is then supported with argumentation.
E.) propose a hypothesis that the author subsequently refines.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D) make an assertion that is then supported with argumentation.
Explanation:
When analyzing this type of question, the goal is to understand the function of the opening sentence in the second paragraph within the context of the passage.
- Option A: Introduce attention that the author ultimately resolves – This suggests that the second paragraph would begin by presenting an issue or problem that the author resolves by the end of the paragraph. However, in many cases, especially in argumentative or analytical writing, the second paragraph tends to either continue building the author’s point or offer more detailed support, rather than presenting a problem that needs resolution.
- Option B: State a position that the author goes on to refute – If the opening sentence of the second paragraph introduces a position that is later refuted, that would imply that the paragraph is devoted to opposing or countering a prior point. This is not the most common function of an opening sentence, as it would typically set up a challenge to be addressed further into the paragraph, not immediately.
- Option C: Question the validity of a claim developed earlier in the passage – This would be a situation in which the second paragraph questions or casts doubt on a claim from earlier. However, the opening sentence typically does not serve to outright question a claim unless the paragraph is primarily focused on critique.
- Option D: Make an assertion that is then supported with argumentation – This is the most typical structure for academic writing, where the author introduces a point or assertion and then supports it with evidence, reasoning, or argumentation. The second paragraph is likely to expand on a central idea, asserting something that will be developed with further explanation or examples in the paragraphs that follow.
- Option E: Propose a hypothesis that the author subsequently refines – While hypotheses are proposed and refined in some academic writing, the opening sentence of a paragraph typically makes a declarative statement, which is then explored in greater detail.
Therefore, D is the most appropriate answer, as the opening sentence of the second paragraph often serves to introduce an assertion or claim, which is then elaborated upon and supported in the body of the paragraph.