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Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

The following sentences are taken from a draft of an essay about animal navigation. To ensure that the paragraph logically develops its claim about how desert ants find their way and supports it with necessary details, what is the most logical order for these sentences?

  1. 1The desert ant (Cataglyphis fortis) relies on a navigation method known as path integration to find its way home across featureless sand dunes.
  2. 2This system requires the insect to continuously compute two distinct pieces of data during its search for food: direction and distance.
  3. 3For the first component, direction, the ant analyzes polarization patterns in the sky to establish a compass heading.
  4. 4For the second component, distance, the ant relies on an internal 'pedometer' to track the number of steps it has taken.
  5. 5By integrating these twin measurements, the ant calculates a direct return vector, allowing it to march home in a straight line.

Answer

The most logical order of the sentences begins with introducing the main concept of path integration, followed by the requirement of tracking direction and distance, detailing the direction component, detailing the distance component, and concluding with how these two measurements are integrated to navigate home.
The correct order begins with the introduction of path integration as a navigation system. It then defines the two essential data points: direction and distance. Next, it details how the ant determines direction, followed by how it determines distance. Finally, it concludes by explaining how the ant integrates these two measurements to calculate its return vector.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory claim or topic sentence of the paragraph.
The sentence introducing the desert ant's reliance on path integration serves as the natural beginning because it establishes the central topic.
A logical paragraph must first state its main claim before explaining the mechanisms or details supporting it.
2
Link the central concept to its operational components.
The sentence starting with 'This system' refers back to 'path integration' and introduces the two key variables: direction and distance.
Transition words like 'This system' create a direct cohesive link to the preceding sentence, setting up the subsequent supporting evidence.
3
Order the detailed evidence explaining each component.
The sentence explaining the first component (direction) must precede the sentence explaining the second component (distance).
Presenting the details in the same order they were introduced (direction first, then distance) maintains paragraph unity and clear structure.
4
Identify the concluding sentence that synthesizes the details.
The sentence starting with 'By integrating these twin measurements' logically concludes the paragraph by showing the outcome of the two components described.
A conclusion should tie the supporting evidence back to the initial claim, showing how the ant successfully finds its way home.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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