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Verbal·Expression of Ideas·Rhetorical Synthesis
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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 fluorite has a Mohs scale number of 4.
  • The mineral quartz has a Mohs scale number of 7.
The student wants to compare the hardness of talc and quartz. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness can be used to order fluorite, talc, and quartz by their ability to scratch other minerals.
B
A mineral with a Mohs number of 4, like fluorite, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 1, like talc.
C
Quartz can leave visible scratches on fluorite, which is why quartz has a higher number than fluorite on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
D
Quartz can leave visible scratches on talc, which means that quartz is harder than talc.