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Difficulty: MediumTranslating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

In 1977, oceanographers exploring the Galapagos Rift made a startling discovery that upended biological orthodoxy. Utilizing the submersible Alvin, scientists observed dense communities of giant tube worms, clams, and crabs thriving around hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean, thousands of meters below the sunlit surface. Previously, biologists assumed that all marine ecosystems depended ultimately on photosynthesis powered by sunlight. However, these abyssal organisms thrived in complete darkness by utilizing chemosynthesis. In this process, specialized bacteria oxidize toxic hydrogen sulfide emitting from the vents, converting chemical energy into organic matter. This finding proved that complex life could flourish entirely independent of solar energy, revealing an alternative metabolic foundation for terrestrial and extraterrestrial ecosystems alike.

The passage indicates that the specialized bacteria surrounding hydrothermal vents generate organic matter by doing which of the following?

  1. A
    Utilizing sunlight to neutralize the toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide emissions.
  2. Chemically transforming the poisonous hydrogen sulfide released by the vents.Answer
  3. C
    Directly absorbing chemical energy that has already been converted by the vents.
  4. D
    Transferring organic matter from the sunlit ocean surface down to the abyssal depths.

Answer

Chemically transforming the poisonous hydrogen sulfide released by the vents.
The correct answer accurately restates the passage's assertion that the bacteria generate organic matter by oxidizing (chemically transforming) the toxic (poisonous) hydrogen sulfide that is emitted (released) from the vents. This matches the literal description of chemosynthesis provided in the text.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the portion of the passage that explains how the specialized bacteria generate organic matter.
The relevant sentence is: 'In this process, specialized bacteria oxidize toxic hydrogen sulfide emitting from the vents, converting chemical energy into organic matter.'
To find the literal basis for the correct answer, we must isolate the specific text addressing the bacteria's process.
2
Compare the literal details of this sentence with the provided options to find a precise paraphrase.
The process involves 'oxidizing' (a chemical transformation) the 'toxic' (poisonous) hydrogen sulfide 'emitting' (released) from the vents. This corresponds exactly to the correct option.
Paraphrasing requires matching the core factual relationships and meanings of the original words without introducing new, unverified details.

Key Concept

Translating literal statements to paraphrases
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Translating Literal Statements to Paraphrases

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