Question

making an inference

on january 16, 1917, in a clear attempt to convince the mexican government to help germany in the war, arthur zimmermann, the german foreign secretary, sent a telegram to count von bernstorff, the german ambassador in washington. the foreign secretary wanted to be certain that this message reached von bernstorff, so he made arrangements for it to be carried aboard a u-boat to sweden and from there to washington through diplomatic channels.

-the dark game, paul janeczko

which inference can a reader make based on the information in the passage?

• the message zimmermann wanted to send to von bernstorff was very important.
• count von bernstorff was expecting the message.
• u-boats were designed to transport messages securely.
• zimmermann wanted to reach out to the mexican government for support.

Explanation:

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<reasoning>

Analyze the given passage

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we read the text:
"On January 16, 1917, in a clear attempt to convince the Mexican government to help Germany in the war, Arthur Zimmermann, the German foreign secretary, sent a telegram to Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador in Washington. The foreign secretary wanted to be certain that this message reached von Bernstorff, so he made arrangements for it to be carried aboard a U-boat to Sweden and from there to Washington through diplomatic channels."

Evaluate the definition of an inference

Using the Making Inferences knowledge point, we recall that an inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text, rather than a fact explicitly stated. If a statement is directly written in the passage, it is a direct fact, not an inference.

Evaluate each option

• Option 1: "The message Zimmermann wanted to send to von Bernstorff was very important."

The text states Zimmermann "wanted to be certain" it reached its destination, taking extreme measures (using a U-boat and diplomatic channels). This strongly supports the logical inference that the message was highly important.

• Option 2: "Count von Bernstorff was expecting the message."

The text does not mention or imply Bernstorff's expectations.

• Option 3: "U-boats were designed to transport messages securely."

U-boats were military submarines, not specifically designed for mail delivery, making this historically and textually unsupported.

• Option 4: "Zimmermann wanted to reach out to the Mexican government for support."

The text explicitly states: "...in a clear attempt to convince the Mexican government to help Germany in the war...". Because this is directly stated, it is an explicit fact rather than an inference.
</reasoning>

<answer>
<mcq-correct>(A) The message Zimmermann wanted to send to von Bernstorff was very important.</mcq-correct>
<mcq-option>(B) Count von Bernstorff was expecting the message.</mcq-option>
<mcq-option>(C) U-boats were designed to transport messages securely.</mcq-option>
<mcq-option>(D) Zimmermann wanted to reach out to the Mexican government for support.</mcq-option>
</answer>

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Answer:

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<reasoning>

Analyze the given passage

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we read the text:
"On January 16, 1917, in a clear attempt to convince the Mexican government to help Germany in the war, Arthur Zimmermann, the German foreign secretary, sent a telegram to Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador in Washington. The foreign secretary wanted to be certain that this message reached von Bernstorff, so he made arrangements for it to be carried aboard a U-boat to Sweden and from there to Washington through diplomatic channels."

Evaluate the definition of an inference

Using the Making Inferences knowledge point, we recall that an inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text, rather than a fact explicitly stated. If a statement is directly written in the passage, it is a direct fact, not an inference.

Evaluate each option

• Option 1: "The message Zimmermann wanted to send to von Bernstorff was very important."

The text states Zimmermann "wanted to be certain" it reached its destination, taking extreme measures (using a U-boat and diplomatic channels). This strongly supports the logical inference that the message was highly important.

• Option 2: "Count von Bernstorff was expecting the message."

The text does not mention or imply Bernstorff's expectations.

• Option 3: "U-boats were designed to transport messages securely."

U-boats were military submarines, not specifically designed for mail delivery, making this historically and textually unsupported.

• Option 4: "Zimmermann wanted to reach out to the Mexican government for support."

The text explicitly states: "...in a clear attempt to convince the Mexican government to help Germany in the war...". Because this is directly stated, it is an explicit fact rather than an inference.
</reasoning>

<answer>
<mcq-correct>(A) The message Zimmermann wanted to send to von Bernstorff was very important.</mcq-correct>
<mcq-option>(B) Count von Bernstorff was expecting the message.</mcq-option>
<mcq-option>(C) U-boats were designed to transport messages securely.</mcq-option>
<mcq-option>(D) Zimmermann wanted to reach out to the Mexican government for support.</mcq-option>
</answer>

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