Why does the author use classification to help guide
readers through this part of the text?
Read the excerpt from "Marine Mammals."
Marine mammals are classified into four different groups:
cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds
(seals, sea lions, and walruses), sirenians (manatees and
dugongs), and marine fissipeds (polar bears and sea
otters).
It helps the author define the term "marine mammals."
It helps the author identify types of marine mammals.
It helps the author describe what marine mammals look
like.
-"Marine Mammals,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
It helps the reader visualize the types of marine
mammals.
(THE ANSWER IS NOT D)

I believe the best answer as to why the author uses the classification in this part of the text is:

B) It helps the author identify types of marine mammals.

Explanation:

In the passage we were asked to analyze, the author is not necessarily describing what marine mammals are. That was probably established earlier in the text. The author's purpose now is to enlighten readers about the existing types of marine mammals. That is why he/she uses classification: it helps divide the animals into different categories, each category possessing common characteristics. The author does offer some examples to help readers visualize the types of marine mammals, but that is not the main purpose of the passage. The purpose is certainly to identify those types.

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explanation: