Question
The road lies ahead like a long dreary story, and yet full of surprising turns and roundabouts. It is covered with random squiggly lines that snake along the length of the road, bizarrely weaving in and out of lanes.
Photograph A
Squiggly lines on a highway
It is not a rare sight as these squiggles can be seen on paved roads throughout America. These lines are not the result of messy work by the road construction crew. Instead, these are purposefully made on the road because a stitch in time saves nine.
Cracks and Splits
As roads get older, cracks and splits begin to appear on their surface from wear and tear. There are many sources of road deterioration, such as pounding of daily traffic and weather conditions. If nothing is done, these cracks and crevices will get bigger, in turn, creating potholes and large fissures, which lead to expensive road repairs. That’s when the squiggly tar lines meander in to save the day. It takes about $60,000 to construct a brand-new mile-long road and only about $2500 to seal the cracks on the same length of the road.
Pavement Patching
Asphalt sealer, a mixture made from tar, is used to seal those cracks and splits while they are still small. The asphalt sealer seals the crack and stops further cracking up of the surface of the road.
To start the repairs, the workers first blow out the dirt and debris with pressurized air. Next, using a tube that somewhat looks like a vacuum sweeper hose, they pour heated sealer into these cracks. As the sealer cools and solidifies, it creates dark, windy lines on the surface of the road where the cracks had once been.
Photograph B
A closeup of squiggly lines
Watch Out, Bikers
These black squiggly lines are slightly raised from the surface of the road, creating minor bumps. During bad weather, these bumps can become slick and slippery. Most vehicles going over them do not feel them, but the bumps can result in a precarious ride for bikers, especially if they come upon them without warning. Bikers can lose control of their bikes going over the bumps and slipping and falling. Consequently, bikers call them tar snakes, showing their disdain for the squiggly lines.
Whether they are called squiggly lines or tar snakes, it is prudent for bike fans to avoid accidents by slowing down when they see a patch in their way.
Question
How does Photograph B add to the content of the article?
Responses
A Showing a closeup of squiggly lines reveals that filling up road cracks is a messy process.Showing a closeup of squiggly lines reveals that filling up road cracks is a messy process.
B The closeup photograph helps the reader understand the process of filling up road cracks.The closeup photograph helps the reader understand the process of filling up road cracks.
C Photograph B explains how construction workers locate cracks and gaps on the road.Photograph B explains how construction workers locate cracks and gaps on the road.
D Photograph B shows that road cracks can be deep and, if left unfilled, will get deeper.Photograph B shows that road cracks can be deep and, if left unfilled, will get deeper.
Photograph A
Squiggly lines on a highway
It is not a rare sight as these squiggles can be seen on paved roads throughout America. These lines are not the result of messy work by the road construction crew. Instead, these are purposefully made on the road because a stitch in time saves nine.
Cracks and Splits
As roads get older, cracks and splits begin to appear on their surface from wear and tear. There are many sources of road deterioration, such as pounding of daily traffic and weather conditions. If nothing is done, these cracks and crevices will get bigger, in turn, creating potholes and large fissures, which lead to expensive road repairs. That’s when the squiggly tar lines meander in to save the day. It takes about $60,000 to construct a brand-new mile-long road and only about $2500 to seal the cracks on the same length of the road.
Pavement Patching
Asphalt sealer, a mixture made from tar, is used to seal those cracks and splits while they are still small. The asphalt sealer seals the crack and stops further cracking up of the surface of the road.
To start the repairs, the workers first blow out the dirt and debris with pressurized air. Next, using a tube that somewhat looks like a vacuum sweeper hose, they pour heated sealer into these cracks. As the sealer cools and solidifies, it creates dark, windy lines on the surface of the road where the cracks had once been.
Photograph B
A closeup of squiggly lines
Watch Out, Bikers
These black squiggly lines are slightly raised from the surface of the road, creating minor bumps. During bad weather, these bumps can become slick and slippery. Most vehicles going over them do not feel them, but the bumps can result in a precarious ride for bikers, especially if they come upon them without warning. Bikers can lose control of their bikes going over the bumps and slipping and falling. Consequently, bikers call them tar snakes, showing their disdain for the squiggly lines.
Whether they are called squiggly lines or tar snakes, it is prudent for bike fans to avoid accidents by slowing down when they see a patch in their way.
Question
How does Photograph B add to the content of the article?
Responses
A Showing a closeup of squiggly lines reveals that filling up road cracks is a messy process.Showing a closeup of squiggly lines reveals that filling up road cracks is a messy process.
B The closeup photograph helps the reader understand the process of filling up road cracks.The closeup photograph helps the reader understand the process of filling up road cracks.
C Photograph B explains how construction workers locate cracks and gaps on the road.Photograph B explains how construction workers locate cracks and gaps on the road.
D Photograph B shows that road cracks can be deep and, if left unfilled, will get deeper.Photograph B shows that road cracks can be deep and, if left unfilled, will get deeper.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
B. The closeup photograph helps the reader understand the process of filling up road cracks.
This choice accurately reflects the purpose of Photograph B by illustrating the appearance of the filled cracks with asphalt sealer, thereby enhancing the reader's understanding of the crack-sealing process described in the article.
This choice accurately reflects the purpose of Photograph B by illustrating the appearance of the filled cracks with asphalt sealer, thereby enhancing the reader's understanding of the crack-sealing process described in the article.