Text 1: The famous pothole on Main Street was several inches deep before the city managed to address the situation. The hole was first reported three years ago. Over time, it grew deeper and cost local residents more tires with each passing month. After much debate, the city finally hired a local private business to fill the hole and patch the pavement. Given the city’s lack of working street equipment, this was clearly the right call.

Question

Text 2: Everyone was aware of the pothole on Main Street, but nonetheless it remained a steadfast resident of our town for three years. Its presence gave us so many choices. Should we drivers take a different route or run over the hole and hope for the best? Was it wiser to trust the city to handle it, or should some brave citizen have jumped in to save us all? Should that brave citizen have used gravel, cement, or something vastly more entertaining—such as rubber cement? At least then we could have had a town trampoline, if not safe and smooth roads for all.

Question
Use the two texts to answer the question.

In which way are the two texts different?

(1 point)
Responses

The writer of text 1 explains how long the problem has existed, while the writer of text 2 focuses on how people have coped with it.
The writer of text 1 explains how long the problem has existed, while the writer of text 2 focuses on how people have coped with it.

The writer of text 1 reports events that took place, while the writer of text 2 imagines how things could have gone.
The writer of text 1 reports events that took place, while the writer of text 2 imagines how things could have gone.

The writer of text 1 considers the pothole a nuisance, while the writer of text 2 considers it amusing.
The writer of text 1 considers the pothole a nuisance, while the writer of text 2 considers it amusing.

The writer of text 1 proposes serious solutions, while the writer of text 2 proposes funny solutions.

Answer 1

All four response options highlight different aspects of the differences between the two texts. However, one specific option encapsulates the core difference most clearly:

The writer of text 1 reports events that took place, while the writer of text 2 imagines how things could have gone.

This option accurately reflects the contrasting nature of the texts: Text 1 provides a factual account of the pothole's existence and resolution, while Text 2 explores hypothetical scenarios and reactions related to the pothole.