In 1773, he began to make astronomical calculations for almanacs, which were used frequently by farmers. His almanacs included a variety of information on medicines, tides, and astronomy. Using his own calculations, he compiled and published his first almanac in the 1790s. It was called the Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Almanac and Emphemeris. He even sent a copy of it to Thomas Jefferson, who was United States Secretary of State at the time. With his almanac, he included a letter petitioning Jefferson's help to end slavery.

Question

6 Impressed with Benjamin's abilities, Jefferson recommended Benjamin to become a part of a team of surveyors to plan and lay out the city of Washington, D.C. A Frenchman, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, was the lead architect for the project. After a year, however, L'Enfant was dismissed from the project and took the plans for the city's layout with him when he left the city. Benjamin's memory played an instrumental role, since he was actually able to reproduce the detailed plan in two days from his own memory. He provided a detailed, complete layout of the streets, parks, and major buildings in the city.

7 Benjamin continued to publish his almanacs from 1791 to 1802; these publications helped him to earn the distinction of being one of the first African American experts in science. He also continued to advocate for the elimination of slavery and war during this time. Toward the end of his life, he continued his writing. He wrote a scholarly paper on bees, a study of locust plagues, and letters about injustices toward African Americans. Benjamin Banneker died on October 25, 1806, but he never lost his desire for more knowledge. Benjamin's life served as an example of the importance of self-directed learning and improving the lives of others.
How does the structure of paragraph 5 relate to a central idea in the passage?
The use of problem and solution illustrates how Benjamin organized topics in his almanac.
The use of description introduces Benjamin's interest in social justice for African Americans.
The use of cause and effect explains Benjamin's decision to include medicinal facts in his almanac.
The use of comparison and contrast emphasizes the need for almanacs by farmers and scientists.

Answer 1

The best answer is: The use of description introduces Benjamin's interest in social justice for African Americans.

In paragraph 5, Benjamin Banneker's inclusion of a letter petitioning Thomas Jefferson for help to end slavery reflects his advocacy for social justice. The structure allows readers to understand not only his contributions to science through his almanac but also his commitment to addressing societal issues, particularly the injustices faced by African Americans. This aligns with the central idea of the passage, which highlights Banneker's multifaceted contributions to science and social reform.