Question

skyscraper city
retro building in manhattan
1
in 1885, the 11 - story home insurance building in chicago was one of the first in a new class of tall buildings to be completed. these structures quickly grew in popularity, and by 1888 they became known as skyscrapers. new technological advances such as electric lighting and the mass production of steel beams helped make these buildings possible. steel was lighter and stronger than the brick and stone used before. now, a tall building’s weight could be supported by its steel skeleton rather than its stone walls, allowing for much greater height.
2
but who wanted to climb many flights of stairs to reach the sky? another invention that made skyscrapers practical at this time was the passenger elevator. passenger elevators were manufactured in 1857 and powered by steam. by the 1880s
1.3
which statement best expresses the thesis of the article?
a. cities throughout the united states have long taken pride in their skyscrapers.
b. pencil towers are the most suitable type of skyscraper for highly populated areas.
c. new types of skyscrapers were developed following the invention of the elevator.
d. advances in technology led to new skyscrapers that addressed the lack of space in cities.

Explanation:

To determine the thesis, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Focuses on US cities' pride in skyscrapers, but the passage is about technological advances enabling skyscrapers, not pride. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Discusses pencil towers, which are not mentioned in the passage. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Says new skyscrapers developed after elevator invention, but the passage also mentions steel and electric lighting. This is too narrow. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The passage explains how technological advances (steel, electric lighting, elevator) led to skyscrapers that addressed space shortages in cities (by allowing greater height). This matches the main idea.

Answer:

D. Advances in technology led to new skyscrapers that addressed the lack of space in cities.