SAT OwlQuestion bank / Text Structure and Purpose
The following text is from an 1897 short story by Theodore Ames.
Mr. Halloway had built the footbridge over Miller's Creek with his own hands, and for thirty years he had crossed it each morning on his way to the mill. The town had since put up an iron bridge a quarter mile downstream, wider and sturdier, and the old wooden one was to be torn down at the end of the month. Halloway had signed the order himself, as chairman of the town council. On the last morning, he crossed the old bridge slowly, stopping at its center for a long while before going on.
Which choice best describes the function of the third sentence in the overall structure of the text?
It explains why the town decided to build a new iron bridge.
It suggests that other council members pressured Halloway into removing the old bridge.
It reveals that Halloway himself authorized the loss of something he values, adding complexity to the final scene.
It shows that Halloway is eager to see the old bridge torn down.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
The first sentence shows Halloway's long attachment to the bridge he built, and the last sentence shows him lingering on it. The third sentence reveals that he signed the order to tear it down. That creates a tension between his public duty and his private feelings, as choice C says.
Choice D misreads the signature: his slow last crossing and long pause show attachment, so the sentence adds tension rather than showing eagerness.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. The text never states the town's reasons for building the new bridge. The sentence focuses on Halloway's personal role in signing the removal order, not the town's decision to construct a replacement.
- B. The passage provides no evidence that other council members pressured Halloway. It explicitly states he signed the order himself, indicating he acted independently rather than under external coercion.
- D. This misreads the scene's tone. Halloway's slow crossing and long pause at the center show deep attachment and sadness, not eagerness to see the bridge destroyed.
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