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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 calcite has a Mohs scale number of 3.
• The mineral apatite has a Mohs scale number of 5.
• The mineral topaz has a Mohs scale number of 8.

The student wants to make a generalization about minerals. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

A

Based on their Mohs scale numbers, topaz (8) is harder than apatite (5), and apatite is harder than calcite (3).

B

Topaz can leave visible scratches on calcite, which is why topaz has a higher number than calcite on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

C

Any mineral with a Mohs number of 8, like topaz, can scratch a mineral with a Mohs number of 5, like apatite.

D

The Mohs scale can be used to order calcite, topaz, and apatite by their ability to scratch other minerals.