2. Where in the passage should the following sentence be inserted? Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.
Answer: C
The sentence should be inserted after sentence 9.
Inserting the sentence after sentence 9 effectively continues the discussion of the varied opinions of New Yorkers regarding bike lanes, particularly emphasizing the contrasting views about their purpose.
A) After sentence 1
Placing the sentence after sentence 1 would disrupt the initial introduction of bike lanes and their historical context. The first sentence focuses on defining bike lanes rather than addressing public opinion.
B) After sentence 3
Inserting the sentence after sentence 3 would not be appropriate, as this section discusses the historical construction of bike lanes in the 1980s. The mention of public opinion would be out of place at this point, which is primarily factual.
C) After sentence 9
This is the ideal placement, as it follows a description of the opposition to bike lanes in Williamsburg and sets the stage for contrasting opinions. The new sentence introduces a perspective that aligns with the ongoing debate about the utility of bike lanes in keeping cyclists off sidewalks.
D) After sentence 12
Placing the sentence after sentence 12 would not be fitting, as this part of the passage focuses on the positive aspects of bike lanes, such as health and safety benefits. The new sentence would seem contradictory to the supportive sentiments expressed in the preceding statement.
Conclusion
The chosen placement after sentence 9 allows for a seamless transition into contrasting opinions about bike lanes, enriching the context of local sentiments. Other options fail because they either disrupt the narrative flow or misalign with the content's focus at those points, making option C the most suitable choice.