Question

many manufacturers prefer plastic as a material for containers because it can be molded into many shapes. but plastic is not very strong. it must be fused with glass or steel for strength. it is also not very durable. even the strongest plastic can break under enough pressure. the biggest disadvantage to using plastic is that it does not decompose. while plastic can be recycled, doing so is tedious and difficult. while it may be more expensive and difficult to work with, aluminum is a much stronger building material with far greater tensile strength. it conducts electricity because it is metal. best of all, aluminum is very easy to recycle. even if it is thrown away, it decomposes much more quickly than most manufacturing materials.
how does the compare - and - contrast organizational pattern of the passage support the authors purpose?
a. the passage shows the superiority of aluminum in order to make a case for the production of stronger plastics.
b. the passage lists the advantages and disadvantages of each material to make a case for the use of plastic and not aluminum in containers.
c. the passage gradually leads up to the point about decomposition to inform the reader about the importance of recycling plastics.
d. the passage begins with a description of plastics problems in order to call attention to the good qualities of aluminum.

Explanation:

The passage starts by presenting the superiority of aluminum (e.g., being a strong metal, easy - to - recycle) to build a case for stronger plastics. It then compares aluminum with plastic (e.g., plastic's non - durability, difficulty in recycling). This is a compare - and - contrast organizational pattern.

Answer:

A. The passage shows the superiority of aluminum in order to make a case for the production of stronger plastics.