Question

select the correct answer
how does the author connect the ideas about the parks in america throughout the passage?
a. by listing them in order of importance
b. by providing information on how to visit them
c. by comparing and contrasting their characteristics
d. by explaining why each one is unique

(1) the national parks of the united states are areas of supreme scenic splendor or other unique quality which congress has set apart for the pleasure and benefit of the people. at this writing they number eighteen, sixteen of which lie within the boundaries of the united states and are reached by rail and road. those of greater importance have excellent roads, good trails, and hotels or hotel camps, or both, for the accommodation of visitors, also public camp grounds where visitors may pitch their own tents. outside the united states there are two national parks, one enclosing three celebrated volcanic craters, the other conserving the loftiest¹ mountain on the continent.
(2) the starting point for any consideration of our national parks necessarily is the recently realized fact of their supremacy in world scenery. it was the sensational force of this realization which intensely attracted public attention at the outset of the new movement; many thousands hastened to see these wonders, and their reports spread the tidings² throughout the land and gave the movement its increasing impetus³.
(3) the simple facts are these:
(4) the swiss alps, except for several unmatchable individual features, are excelled in beauty, sublimity⁴, and variety by several of our own national parks, and these same parks possess other distinguished individual features unrepresented in kind or

Explanation:

The author compares the national parks in America (e.g., their scenic splendor, facilities like rail - road access, hotels/campgrounds) with those outside the US (such as the volcanic craters and the lofty mountain). This comparison helps in highlighting the unique aspects of American national parks and connecting the ideas about parks in America throughout the passage.

Answer:

C. by comparing and contrasting their characteristics