Question

10.1.2 exam: wrap-up
cement split. when snow thaws, water seeps into these
fresh cracks. when it freezes, the water expands, and
cracks widen.
which best explains how the structure of this passage supports the author’s
purpose?
○ a. the passage traces several events in the order that they will occur
to highlight how people have harmed the environment.
○ b. the passage compares the similarities between water and human
creativity to show how both interact to make new york city a
popular destination.
○ c. the passage shows the effects of frozen and liquid water to prove
that laws protecting the environment are necessary for human
survival.
○ d. the passage shows the effects of the freezing and thawing of
water to highlight that nature will eventually destroy what people
have built.

Explanation:

The passage describes a sequence: snow thaws → water seeps into cement splits → water freezes and expands → fresh cracks form → cracks widen. This traces how natural freezing/thawing damages human-made cement structures, aligning with option D. Other options are incorrect: A mentions future events (not the passage’s descriptive sequence), B references human-environment harm (unrelated), C links to environmental laws (not in the passage).

Answer:

D. The passage shows the effects of the freezing and thawing of water to highlight that nature will eventually destroy what people have built.