Read the excerpt from Chapter 2 of Wheels of Change . Dr. Benjamin Ward Richardson of Great Britain, a big fan of the wheel, nevertheless summarized its pitfalls in his 1895 article "What To Avoid in Cycling." Among those pitfalls were several dangers that resulted from "teaching the practice to subjects who are too young." Richardson believed serious riding should not be done by males or females until the skeleton was completely matured, which he said happened around age 21. What is the author’s most likely purpose in presenting Dr. Richardson’s research?
Answer
A
to inform readers about one reason why cycling was controversial in the 1800s
B
to emphasize that the advantages of cycling are not worth the risks
C
to entertain readers with a story about a doctor who was against cycling
D
to persuade young readers to avoid riding bicycles until they are older
Explanation
The excerpt presents Richardson’s view that cycling could be dangerous for young people whose skeletons had not fully matured. By including this historical concern, the author shows one reason people debated or criticized cycling in the 1800s. The passage does not ask readers to follow Richardson’s advice today or claim that cycling’s risks outweigh its benefits.
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