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In many accounts of the American West, the Lewis and Clark expedition (1803 - 1806) mistakenly marks the beginning of recorded history, with the captains' journals constituting a baseline of information about the region. The earlier history of the West is frequently seen as an unimportant backstory. Although the Lewis and Clark expedition was a momentous event, it was only a subplot in a historical drama of time, place, and people that had been playing for thousands of years. The 'new lands' that Lewis and Clark explored were in fact very old: the explorers did not bring the West into United States history- they brought the United States into the history of the West.

In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was . . . years') chiefly serves to

Rationale

place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context.

The metaphor in the context of the sentence emphasizes the significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition by situating it within a larger historical timeline, allowing readers to appreciate its importance relative to the age of the nation. This broader perspective enhances the understanding of the expedition's impact on American history.

A (call attention to the age of the United States as a nation) YOUR ANSWER

While the metaphor does reference the age of the United States, its primary function is not merely to highlight this aspect. Instead, it serves to create a larger framework in which the expedition can be understood, rather than focusing solely on the nation’s age.

B (question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark) YOUR ANSWER

This choice misinterprets the metaphor's intent. The metaphor does not critique or question the literary merit of Lewis and Clark's writings; rather, it seeks to contextualize their expedition within a significant historical framework. The focus is on the expedition's achievements, not on the evaluation of their literary contributions.

C (trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition) YOUR ANSWER

The metaphor does not serve to trivialize the expedition; instead, it elevates its importance by placing it within a significant historical context. Trivialization would imply a dismissive tone, which is not present in the metaphor's usage.

D (place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context) CORRECT

The metaphor effectively situates the Lewis and Clark expedition within a wider historical narrative, allowing readers to appreciate its significance in relation to the age of the United States. By doing so, it highlights the expedition's role in shaping the nation’s identity and history.

Conclusion

The metaphor in the third sentence serves to place the Lewis and Clark expedition within a broader context, enhancing the reader's understanding of its significance in American history. By framing the expedition alongside the nation's age, it underscores the lasting impact of their journey and the foundational role it played in the development of the United States.

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