Analyze how the authors of “Roads that Last” and “Cracks to Squiggles” each present conflicting information about asphalt.

Question

Responses
A “Roads that Last” emphasizes asphalt’s historical use while “Cracks to Squiggles” shows innovative use of asphalt to patch roads.“Roads that Last” emphasizes asphalt’s historical use while “Cracks to Squiggles” shows innovative use of asphalt to patch roads.
B “Roads that Last” states that asphalt fractures readily while “Cracks to Squiggles” mentions that asphalt prevents cracking.“Roads that Last” states that asphalt fractures readily while “Cracks to Squiggles” mentions that asphalt prevents cracking.
C “Roads that Last” says that asphalt is adhesive while “Cracks to Squiggles” mentions that asphalt is a sealer.“Roads that Last” says that asphalt is adhesive while “Cracks to Squiggles” mentions that asphalt is a sealer.
D “Roads that Last” indicates that asphalt is a costly material while “Cracks to Squiggles” suggests asphalt is inexpensive.“Roads that Last” indicates that asphalt is a costly material while “Cracks to Squiggles” suggests asphalt is inexpensive.

Answer 1

To analyze the conflicting information about asphalt as presented in "Roads that Last" and "Cracks to Squiggles," we can evaluate each response option:

A: This option suggests that “Roads that Last” focuses on the historical use of asphalt, which positions asphalt as a time-tested material, while “Cracks to Squiggles” highlights innovative uses for repairing roads. This presents a contrast between traditional applications and modern adaptations, but does not directly indicate a conflict in the nature or quality of asphalt itself.

B: This option presents a clear conflict, stating that “Roads that Last” claims asphalt fractures readily, implying a weakness in its structural integrity, while “Cracks to Squiggles” asserts that asphalt prevents cracking, suggesting that it is effective in maintaining road durability. This stark contradiction directly addresses the performance attributes of asphalt.

C: Here, “Roads that Last” describing asphalt as adhesive and “Cracks to Squiggles” referring to it as a sealer does not explicitly present a fundamental conflict. Both characteristics can coexist without undermining each other, as asphalt can have multiple functional properties in different contexts.

D: This option indicates a conflict in the perceived value of asphalt, with “Roads that Last” suggesting it is costly, while “Cracks to Squiggles” suggests it is inexpensive. However, this conflict pertains more to economic considerations rather than the physical attributes or effectiveness of asphalt itself.

In conclusion, the most direct presentation of conflicting information about asphalt is option B, where the performance characteristics relating to cracking are in direct opposition between the two texts.