Exploring the Diversity of Products in Silicon Valley
What does the author mean by writing that "... the list went on and on"?
choices : a. Long lists are easier to make on a personal computer than on a piece of paper. b. There were many other products made by companies in Silicon Valley. c. Semiconductors, computers, printers, and software were the only products made by companies in Silicon Valley.
Answer:
The phrase '...the list went on and on' implies that Silicon Valley was home to companies making a vast and diverse range of tech-related products, not just semiconductors, computers, printers, and software. The correct answer is b. There were many other products made by companies in Silicon Valley.
The phrase '...the list went on and on' used by the author in this context signifies that there were many other products manufactured by the companies in Silicon Valley apart from semiconductors, computers, printers, and software. The term 'list' is symbolic of the range or variety of products or services.
The phrase '...went on and on' indicates this range or variety was expansive, continuing beyond the few examples given. Therefore, out of the given choices, the correct interpretation is: There were many other products made by companies in Silicon Valley. This shows the diversity and growth of Silicon Valley as a hub for not only semiconductor production but also for a broad spectrum of tech-related products.
Such phrases are often used in literature to imply a vast, almost immeasurable size or number. In this case, the author uses it to impress upon the reader the enormous scale and variety of the tech industry in Silicon Valley.