Question

Read the following paragraph from the introduction [paragraphs 1-3]:

The engineering design process has many steps. Engineers do not always follow them in order. You might design something, test it and find a problem. When this happens, go back to an earlier step. Make a change to your design. This way of working is called iteration. This means repeating steps to get closer to your final solution. What is the MAIN idea of this paragraph?

A) Engineers always follow the engineering design process in a strict, linear order.
B) The engineering design process includes a series of sequential steps without any deviation.
C) Engineers employ iteration as part of the design process to address and refine their solutions.
D) The engineering design process is a rigid and unchangeable framework.

Answer 1

The MAIN idea of the paragraph is that engineers use iteration within the engineering design process to refine their solutions, implying a flexible and repetitive approach rather than a linear one.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main idea of the paragraph which describes the engineering design process is that the process is not necessarily linear or fixed, but rather iterative, allowing engineers to refine their solutions through repetition and iteration. Engineers approach design problems by cycling through the process steps, often revisiting previous ones after testing reveals new insights or problems. This flexible approach signifies that the central aspect of engineering design is adaptation and improvement, responding to findings with adjustments in order to get closer to the optimal solution.