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Verbal·Expression of Ideas·Rhetorical Synthesis
easy
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
A mineral with a Mohs number of 7, like quartz, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 3, like calcite.
B
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness can be used to order calcite, talc, and quartz by their ability to scratch other minerals.
C
Quartz can leave visible scratches on talc, which is why quartz has a higher number than talc on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
D
Based on their Mohs scale numbers, quartz (7) is harder than calcite (3), and calcite is harder than talc (1).