Question

read the following passage:

the problem began simply enough. in the 1950s, plans to build a canal were abandoned due to political red tape. the half - finished canal then became a dumping ground for garbage. chemical waste was deposited there and buried. two decades later, heavy rains and shifting soil caused some of the chemical containers to leak. the chemicals leached into the soil and contaminated the water supply. within months, the area had to be evacuated.

what is one way the author uses a chronological structure to support his purpose?

a. by tracing the contamination problem over time
b. by explaining that heavy rains lead to chemical leaks
c. by comparing water pollution to land pollution
d. by detailing the order of events during the evacuation

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage starts in the 1950s (canal plans abandoned, canal becomes a dump), then two decades later (chemicals leak), and then months later (area evacuated). This shows the author tracing the contamination problem over time, which is a chronological structure.
• Option B: Explaining that heavy rains lead to chemical leaks is a cause - effect relationship, not a chronological structure.
• Option C: There is no comparison between water pollution and land pollution in the passage.
• Option D: The passage does not detail the order of events during the evacuation; it only mentions the area was evacuated.

Answer:

A. By tracing the contamination problem over time