|Question 27Verbal

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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 orthoclase has a Mohs scale number of 6.
• The mineral topaz has a Mohs scale number of 8.
The student wants to compare the hardness of calcite and topaz. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A mineral with a Mohs number of 6, like orthoclase, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 3, like calcite.
A
Topaz can leave visible scratches on calcite, which means that topaz is harder than calcite.
B
Topaz can leave visible scratches on orthoclase, which is why topaz has a higher number than orthoclase on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
C
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness can be used to order orthoclase, calcite, and topaz by their ability to scratch other minerals.
D