|Question 26Verbal

Source Texts

Text
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a ten-point scale that orders minerals by hardness based on their ability to scratch other minerals.
• Minerals with larger numbers are harder than minerals with smaller numbers and can leave visible scratches on them.
• Minerals with smaller numbers are softer than minerals with larger numbers and cannot leave visible scratches on them.
• The mineral talc has a Mohs scale number of 1.
• The mineral calcite has a Mohs scale number of 3.
• The mineral quartz has a Mohs scale number of 7.
The student wants to compare the hardness of the three minerals. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A mineral with a Mohs number of 7, like quartz, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 3, like calcite.
A
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness can be used to order calcite, talc, and quartz by their ability to scratch other minerals.
B
Quartz can leave visible scratches on talc, which is why quartz has a higher number than talc on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
C
Based on their Mohs scale numbers, quartz (7) is harder than calcite (3), and calcite is harder than talc (1).
D