The most effective summary of the text is paragraph 2.
This choice is due to several reasons:
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Focus on Key Events: Paragraph 2 succinctly mentions the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg, highlighting it as a pivotal moment in the Civil War, which offers context about its importance.
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Statistics: It includes relevant statistics regarding the number of deaths and injuries, capturing the scale of the battle, which is central to understanding its impact.
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Current Relevance: The paragraph concludes with information about its status as a site managed by the National Park Service and the annual visitor statistics, linking historical significance to present-day relevance.
In contrast, paragraphs 1 and 3 lack depth or broader context about the battle's importance in the Civil War and do not capture the significance of Gettysburg as a historical site in contemporary times as effectively as paragraph 2 does.