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Question

Difficulty: EasySentence Addition and Deletion Decisions

The writer is considering deleting the following sentence from the passage:

'Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants because they are the only food source for the caterpillars.'

If the passage focuses on the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies, should the writer make this deletion?

  1. Yes, because the sentence interrupts the explanation of the migratory journey with irrelevant information about the butterfly's reproductive cycle and larval diet.Answer
  2. B
    Yes, because the sentence contradicts the fact that monarch butterflies travel to Mexico to survive the winter.
  3. C
    No, because the sentence provides a necessary transition between the description of the flight south and the overall length of the journey.
  4. D
    No, because the sentence explains the biological motivation for why millions of monarchs migrate south in the autumn.

Answer

Yes, because the sentence interrupts the explanation of the migratory journey with irrelevant information about the butterfly's reproductive cycle and larval diet.
The correct option is the one stating that the sentence should be deleted because it interrupts the focus of the paragraph. The paragraph focuses on the details of the monarch butterfly's migratory journey, while the sentence in question shifts the topic to reproduction and larval diet, which is irrelevant to migration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main focus of the paragraph.
The paragraph focuses on the migration of monarch butterflies, detailing their journey south to Mexico, the length of the trip, and the multiple generations involved.
Understanding the paragraph's topic is necessary to determine if a sentence is relevant or off-topic.
2
Evaluate the function of the proposed sentence.
The sentence introduces facts about egg-laying on milkweed and caterpillar food sources.
Identifying what the sentence contributes allows us to judge if it supports the main topic.
3
Compare the sentence's function with the paragraph's focus to decide on deletion and find the correct justification.
Since egg-laying and caterpillar food do not relate to the flight path or migration journey, the sentence is irrelevant and interrupts the narrative flow. It should be deleted.
This confirms that deletion is appropriate and aligns with the explanation that the sentence interrupts the focus.

Key Concept

Evaluating the relevance of sentences to maintain paragraph unity and cohesion.
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Topics

Sentence Addition and Deletion Decisions

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