Question

"Ignaz Semmelweis Saved Lives: Wash Your Hands"

by Dr. Howard Markel

Since the early 1900’s, however, physicians and historians have heaped up high praise for
Semmelweis’s work and expressed sympathy for his emotional troubles and premature death.
Today, in every school of medicine and public health, his name is uttered with great reverence
whenever the critical topic of hand washing is taught. Sadly, in real time, he was derided as
eccentric at best and, at worst, as an angry, unstable man who ought to be drummed out of the
profession.

Which choice best describes the text structure that is mainly used in this passage?

(1 point)

The passage uses a problem/solution structure to describe how modern schools improved Semmelweis’s reputation

The passage uses a claims/counterclaims/evidence structure to argue that Semmelweis’s ideas were important.

The passage uses a compare/contrast structure to discuss how Semmelweis was viewed in different times.

The passage uses a cause/effect structure to explain what led individuals to express sympathy for Semmelweis.
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Answer 1

Compare/contrast — the passage contrasts how Semmelweis is viewed today (revered) with how he was viewed in his own time (derided).