Question

question 9 of 17
read this passage from the city without us by alan weisman:
in a future that portends stronger and more - frequent hurricanes striking north americas atlantic coast, ferocious winds will pummel tall, unsteady structures. some will topple, knocking down others. like a gap in the forest when a giant tree falls, new growth will rush in. gradually, the asphalt jungle will give way to a real one.
which statement best explains how the structure of the passage supports the authors purpose?
a. the passage shows the effect of natural forces such as hurricanes to prove that laws protecting the environment are a necessary evil.
b. the passage identifies how two forces are alike - nature and human creativity - to show how both interact to build human civilization.
c. the passage shows the effect of natural forces, such as hurricanes, to highlight how nature, over time, will erode artifacts of urban civilization.
d. the passage traces several events in the order that they will occur to highlight how nature conquers human civilization.

Explanation:

The passage first describes future stronger hurricanes hitting the Atlantic - coast and their impact on tall, unsteady structures. Then it compares the situation to a tree - fall in the forest and how new growth will come, and finally mentions the asphalt jungle giving way to a real one. It shows the long - term process of nature eroding urban artifacts. Option A is wrong as there is no mention of laws protecting the environment. Option B is incorrect since there is no focus on human creativity and building civilization. Option D is too extreme as it says nature "conquers" human civilization; the passage is more about the natural process of erosion.

Answer:

C. The passage shows the effect of natural forces, such as hurricanes, to highlight how nature, over time, will erode artifacts of urban civilization.