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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 fluorite has a Mohs scale number of 4.
  • The mineral orthoclase has a Mohs scale number of 6.
  • The mineral corundum has a Mohs scale number of 9.
The student wants to compare the hardness of fluorite and corundum. 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 orthoclase, fluorite, and corundum by their ability to scratch other minerals.
B
A mineral with a Mohs number of 6, like orthoclase, is harder than one with a Mohs number of 4, like fluorite.
C
Corundum can leave visible scratches on fluorite, which means that corundum is harder than fluorite.
D
Corundum can leave visible scratches on orthoclase, which means corundum has a higher number than orthoclase on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.