Question

Read this sentence from Paragraph 2 of the passage.

Congressional legislation passed between 1916 and 1925 enabled construction of a national highway system of which Route 66 would become the primary east-west artery.
What does the metaphorical use of artery most likely suggest?

Responses

a structure of roads resembling an aspect of human activity

a convenient arrangement for conducting the flow of traffic

a vital method for transporting goods and services

a natural connection linking separate locations

Answer 1

The metaphorical use of "artery" in the sentence most likely suggests that Route 66 is a vital method for transporting goods and services. An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and is thus a crucial part of the circulatory system that sustains life. In the context of the sentence, the word "artery" is used to emphasize the importance of Route 66 as a transportation route that connects different parts of the country and facilitates the flow of people and goods. Therefore, the most appropriate response is: "a vital method for transporting goods and services".