Question

read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
skyscraper city

1
in 1885, the 10 - 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 - 4
which of these is the best summary of paragraphs 6 through 9?
a pencil towers are tall, thin skyscrapers that have become popular in new york city. the construction of pencil towers is made possible by new building materials and techniques. new york’s unusual laws have also encouraged the development of pencil towers.
b a new type of supertall skyscraper, called a pencil tower, is becoming common in new york city. the steinway tower, nicknamed after the piano store that used to be at its location, is extremely tall at 1,428 feet high. pencil towers have deep foundations and are often built between shorter buildings.
c pencil towers are very thin buildings. they are far thinner than the empire state building, and they have fewer elevators than other skyscrapers. one common problem with pencil towers is that they tend to sway in the wind, which can cause seasickness in some people.
d one new kind of skyscraper is the pencil tower. changes to concrete have allowed pencil towers to be built, and heavy weights can help stabilize them. pencil towers are so tall because developers are able to buy some of the air space that was not used by nearby buildings.

Explanation:

To determine the best summary, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Mentions new materials, techniques, and laws encouraging pencil towers in NYC. But the question is about paragraphs 6 - 9 (not visible here, but from the options, we assume the correct summary focuses on the type, examples, and features).
• Option B: Describes a new supertall skyscraper (pencil tower) common in NYC, gives an example (Steinway Tower), its height, and features (deep foundations, built between shorter buildings). This seems to cover the main elements of a summary.
• Option C: Focuses on problems (swaying, seasickness) and thinness, not the main idea of the paragraphs.
• Option D: Talks about concrete changes, weights, and air space, which is more about construction details rather than a summary of the paragraphs' main content.

So Option B provides a comprehensive summary of the topic (pencil towers in NYC, example, height, and features).

Answer:

B. A new type of supertall skyscraper, called a pencil tower, is becoming common in New York City. The Steinway Tower, nicknamed after the piano store that used to be at its location, is extremely tall at 1,428 feet high. Pencil towers have deep foundations and are often built between shorter buildings.