Question

11
select the correct text in the passage
in the following excerpt, the author’s purpose is to inform his readers about what he has discovered about cholera and to argue that the disease spreads
in a specific way. which three details shape and refine the central idea of the text?

on the mode of communication of cholera
by john snow (excerpt)

it used to be generally assumed, that if cholera were a catching or communicable disease, it must spread by effluvia given off from the patient into the
surrounding air, and inhaled by others into the lungs. this assumption led to very conflicting opinions respecting the disease. a little reflection shows,
however, that we have no right thus to limit the way in which a disease may be propagated, for the communicable diseases of which we have a correct
knowledge spread in very different manners.

pathology indicates manner of communication
a consideration of the pathology of cholera is capable of indicating to us the manner in which the disease is communicated. if it were ushered in by
fever, or any other general constitutional disorder, then we should be furnished with no clue to the way in which the morbid poison enters the system;
whether, for instance, by the alimentary canal, by the lungs, or in some other manner, but should be left to determine this point by circumstances
unconnected with the pathology of the disease. but from all that i have been able to learn of cholera, both from my own observations and the
descriptions of others, i conclude that cholera invariably commences with the affection of the alimentary canal. the disease often proceeds with so little
feeling of general illness, that the patient does not consider himself in danger, or even apply for advice, till the malady is far advanced.

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Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the excerpt:

1. "A consideration of the pathology of cholera is capable of indicating to us the manner in which the disease is communicated" – Links pathology to transmission.
2. "I conclude that cholera invariably commences with the affection of the alimentary canal" – Details the disease’s start (alimentary canal).
3. "The disease often proceeds with so little feeling of general illness that the patient does not consider himself in danger... till the malady is far advanced" – Describes the disease’s progression (mild initial, severe later).

These three details support the central idea about cholera’s transmission by explaining how pathology informs transmission, the disease’s onset, and its progression.

Answer:

1. A consideration of the pathology of cholera is capable of indicating to us the manner in which the disease is communicated.
2. I conclude that cholera invariably commences with the affection of the alimentary canal.
3. The disease often proceeds with so little feeling of general illness that the patient does not consider himself in danger, or even apply for advice, till the malady is far advanced.