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The Paragraphs of the Following Essay Have Been Scrambled So

question 9

Multiple Choice

The paragraphs of the following essay have been scrambled so that they are out of order. Read them and then answer the question(s) that follow.
The Regent Diamond
_____ (1) In 1701, the 410-carat gem was discovered in an Indian mine by a slave who risked his life to smuggle it out. (2) Slashing his leg, he stuffed the huge diamond into the wound and headed for the seacoast. (3) A shifty sea captain offered to sail him to freedom for half the value of the jewel. (4) When at sea, the captain stole the stone and threw the slave overboard. (5) He then sold the precious rock to a powerful diamond merchant.
_____ (6) Now called the Regent diamond, the fabulous stone was the most valuable French crown jewel. (7) In 1792, during the French Revolution, it disappeared, only to be found in a ditch in the middle of Paris. (8) Upon becoming emperor, Napoleon had the diamond set into the hilt of his ceremonial sword. (9) In 1887, when the last French monarchy fell and the jewel collection was auctioned, the Regent diamond was placed in the Louvre, the famous museum in Paris, where it still glitters today.
_____ (10) People have long been fascinated by huge gemstones, such as the Hope diamond, the Ruspoli sapphire, the Rajaratna ruby, and the Gachala emerald. (11) The Regent diamond is one jewel that has long been among the world's most desired.
_____ (12) Few people believed Pitt had come by the diamond honestly, so he also had trouble selling it. (13) Pitt was terrified of being robbed and murdered. (14) Whenever he carried the stone, he disguised himself and would not sleep in the same place for more than two nights. (15) If someone recognized him, he would deny that he carried the stone with him. (16) It took years, but he finally sold his diamond in 1717 for an enormous sum to the Duke of Orleans, the Regent of France.
_____ (17) The merchant had difficulty unloading the diamond because it was so large and because it was stolen. (18) He finally sold it to Robert Pitt, a young Englishman who had come to India seeking his fortune. (19) By the time this shrewd adventurer returned home, the English had nicknamed him "Diamond" Pitt and christened the stone "the Pitt."
Select the number of the sentence that expresses the thesis statement of this essay.

Definitions:

Capital Expenditures

Funds used by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as property, industrial buildings, or equipment, aimed at improving future operations.

Income Taxes

Taxes levied by governments on individuals or entities based on their income or profits.

Operating Activities

Transactions related to the core business functions of a company, such as sales and purchase of goods and services.

Cash Dividends

Payments made by a corporation to its shareholder members. It is the share of profits distributed in cash.