SAT OwlQuestion bank / Text Structure and Purpose
Before 1883, towns across the United States set their clocks by the position of the Sun, so noon in one city might be several minutes different from noon in a city just to the west. This system created confusion for railroads, which had to publish schedules listing dozens of local times. In 1883, the railroads adopted standard time zones, giving every town within a zone the same time.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To explain why and when standard time zones were adopted in the United States
To argue that the United States should return to local solar time
To describe how the Sun's position changes during the day
To list the cities that first adopted standard time
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A
The text describes the confusing system of local times, the problem it caused for railroads, and the 1883 switch to time zones. Its purpose is to explain why and when time zones came about, choice A.
Choice C focuses on a detail; the Sun's position is mentioned only to explain how towns set their clocks before 1883.
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