Question 9·Hard·Text Structure and Purpose
Some paleontologists argue that the sudden appearance of modern feathers in the fossil record cannot be explained solely by the demands of flight. In their analysis of fossilized plumage, the researchers emphasize intermediate structures that likely served for display and thermoregulation. They therefore propose a "many uses" model, in which biological features are repurposed for new functions over time. To make this case accessible to non-specialists, the team’s public report foregrounds everyday analogies—Velcro taken from burrs; sunglasses derived from welding goggles—while relegating technical arguments to appendices.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
For SAT “function of a detail” questions, first locate the exact phrase in question and reread the full sentence it appears in to see what the author says it is doing (for example, giving an example, making a concept accessible, adding a contrast). Then restate the passage’s central idea in one line and choose the option that explains how the detail supports that idea. Eliminate choices that turn an illustration into evidence, introduce purposes not stated (like undermining the claim), or invent later material not mentioned (like detailed appendix case studies).
Hints
Zoom in on the sentence with the underlined portion
Reread the entire sentence that contains the underlined portion. What reason does the sentence give for including these examples in the public report?
Identify what kind of information the underlined portion gives
Ask yourself: Are “Velcro taken from burrs; sunglasses derived from welding goggles” new data about fossils, or are they a different type of information (for example, a comparison, analogy, or case)?
Connect the underlined portion to the main argument
Think about the researchers’ “many uses” model. How might these familiar examples help a non-specialist understand that model?
Test each answer against the passage details
For each choice, check whether the passage says these examples are evidence, entertainment, or previews of appendix content—or whether they are described as analogies to help readers understand the model.
Step-by-step Explanation
Locate and restate the underlined portion
Focus on the underlined section: “Velcro taken from burrs; sunglasses derived from welding goggles.” These are two familiar products paired with what they were inspired by or developed from.
In your own words, this part gives everyday examples of something being adapted from an earlier source or context.
Connect it to the surrounding sentence
Read the full sentence containing the underlined portion:
To make this case accessible to non-specialists, the team’s public report foregrounds everyday analogies—Velcro taken from burrs; sunglasses derived from welding goggles—while relegating technical arguments to appendices.
The sentence explicitly says these are everyday analogies used to make the argument accessible to non-specialists.
Identify the passage’s central idea
The passage’s main claim is the researchers’ “many uses” model: biological features can be repurposed for new functions over time.
The underlined examples show this same general pattern (something existing being adapted for a different use), which helps readers grasp the model.
Match the function to the best choice
Because the underlined portion consists of easy-to-understand analogies that illustrate repurposing, the best answer is:
It supplies concrete analogies that clarify the report’s central idea that features can be repurposed for new functions.