Question

while working for the michigan central railroad in the 1870s, then mccoy was assigned to work on the wheel bearings and axles of trains. 65 trains needed to come to a halt after only a few miles of travel so that the moving parts could be oiled by hand—a tedious, time - consuming process. mccoy invented a device that released oil while a train was in motion, substantially reducing the number 64. f. no change g. with that company h. during this time j. delete the underlined portion. 65. in the preceding sentence, the writer is considering revising the phrase “assigned to work on” to “responsible for oiling.” given that the revised phrase is accurate, should the writer make this revision? a. yes, because the revision specifically describes the procedures mccoy had to follow as he maintained the wheel bearings and axles of trains. b. yes, because the revision provides a clearer connection between mccoy’s main task as a railroad worker and his first patented device. c. no, because the revision doesn’t indicate whether mccoy chose to oil the wheel bearings and axles of trains by hand. d. no, because the revision doesn’t make clear whether mccoy had worked on trains for other railroad companies. 66. f. no change g. lessening the frequency of number h. subtracting the amount j. lowering the amount

Explanation:

For question 64: The original phrase "then McCoy was assigned..." needs to be checked for clarity. Option J (DELETE the underlined portion) is correct because the underlined part is redundant or unclear in context. The sentence flows better without it.
For question 65: The revision is about clarifying the connection. Option B is correct as it explains the revision provides a clearer connection between McCoy's role and his device, which aligns with the context of the passage about his invention.
For question 66: The underlined phrase "substantially reducing the number" needs a better verb. Option J "lowering the amount" is correct as it appropriately modifies the noun related to the number (or amount) in the context of the train's motion and the effect on something (likely friction or issues, but the key is the verb choice; "lowering the amount" is the best fit among the options, with "lessening frequency" or "subtracting amount" being incorrect in context, and "NO CHANGE" not being better than J).

Answer:

1. J. DELETE the underlined portion
2. B. Yes, because the revision provides a clearer connection between McCoy’s main task as a railroad worker and his first patented device.
3. J. lowering the amount