#25 - Specific Reference, Must Be True, Purpose/Function

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (B).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[a.hopp]

Could you explain why B is the correct answer choice?

Thanks!

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Sure, a.hopp.

This question asks us to consider the author's purpose in describing computer programs as mostly sequences of text. What would that indicate about the programs? Would that position support the idea that computer programs are more like books that can be copyrighted or like processes that should be patented? When we look at the selection using this lens, we see that by describing computer programs as sequences of text the author is trying to make computer programs seem more appropriate for copyright protection.

How does that relate to our understanding of the passage as a whole? The author here introduces two potential ways of providing legal protection for computer programs---patent and copyright. Ultimately, we see at the end of the passage that the author supports copyright as the more logical choice. That's how we get to answer choice (B). By describing the program as text, the author is using it to support his overall position that copyright makes more sense as legal protection for computer programs than patent protection would.

Hope that helps!