Question

read the paragraph from \how we entered world war i.\ as ships piled up in home ports, american commerce threatened to come to a standstill affecting the entire national economy. the cabinet grew seriously alarmed. although wilson possessed the executive authority to arm ships, he was reluctant to take the step that would inevitably start the shooting. he preferred to ask congress for authorization, thus touching off the great debate and filibuster on the armed ship bill. how does the author organize the text to support her viewpoint in the paragraph? she details events in chronological order. she compares and contrasts main details. she uses repetition of the main point. she states a main idea and offers details to make her point.

Explanation:

The paragraph first presents the situation of ships piling up and the threat to American commerce (the main idea's context), then details Wilson's authority and his decision - making process (offering details to support the narrative about how the situation was addressed). The author states the main situation (commerce threat) and then provides details about the Cabinet's alarm and Wilson's actions. Option 1: There's no clear chronological order of events (just a situation and then actions, not a sequence of time - ordered events). Option 2: No comparison/contrast of main details. Option 3: No repetition of the main point. Option 4 fits as the author states the main idea (commerce threat affecting economy) and offers details (Cabinet alarm, Wilson's authority and decision) to make the point.

Answer:

She states a main idea and offers details to make her point.