Question 16

Sentence 5 should be deleted to improve the unity of the second paragraph.

Deleting Sentence 5 enhances the paragraph's focus on Harriet Powers's artistry and the significance of her quilt. The surrounding sentences concentrate on the quilt's features, its storytelling elements, and its historical context, making Sentence 5, which discusses the uncertainty of Powers's sewing background, somewhat irrelevant to the main topic.

A) Sentence 3

Sentence 3 provides essential context by noting that Powers's best-known pictorial quilt was commissioned in 1898, which ties directly into the discussion of her quilt's significance and its timeline. Removing this sentence would detract from the understanding of the quilt's historical placement.

B) Sentence 4

Sentence 4 describes the dimensions and structure of Powers's quilt, contributing to the overall appreciation of her work. This information is crucial as it sets the stage for subsequent discussions about the quilt's panels and artistic elements, so it should remain.

C) Sentence 5

Sentence 5 mentions that it is unclear when or where Harriet Powers learned to sew, which does not directly relate to the qualities or significance of her quilt. This lack of relevance disrupts the flow and focus of the paragraph, making it the least necessary sentence and a candidate for deletion.

D) Sentence 6

Sentence 6 illustrates a specific panel of the quilt, describing a significant event, the Leonid meteor shower. This detail enriches the narrative of Powers's storytelling through her art, making it a valuable part of the paragraph that supports its central theme.

Conclusion

In summary, deleting Sentence 5 will enhance the paragraph’s coherence by removing an unrelated detail about Powers's sewing background that does not contribute to the understanding of her quilt's artistic and historical significance. The other sentences effectively maintain a focus on the quilt's features and cultural context, thus supporting the overall unity of the paragraph.