Question

Difficulty: EasySupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

The following sentences are from a draft of an essay about seismologist Inge Lehmann. To ensure that the paragraph develops its claim logically, in what order should these sentences be arranged?

  1. 1In 1936, seismologist Inge Lehmann proposed that the Earth’s core was not entirely liquid, but instead contained a solid inner core.
  2. 2She based this proposal on her analysis of seismic wave readings recorded after a major earthquake near New Zealand.
  3. 3Lehmann observed that certain P-waves, which were expected to be deflected by a liquid core, actually passed directly through the center of the Earth.
  4. 4The path of these waves could only be explained if they were bouncing off a dense, solid boundary at the very center of the planet.

Answer

The paragraph should start with the sentence proposing the solid inner core, followed by the sentence explaining the earthquake data source, then the sentence detailing the specific P-wave observations, and conclude with the sentence explaining how these wave paths prove the solid boundary.
The correct order begins by stating the main claim (Lehmann's proposal of a solid inner core). It then transitions to the source of her data ('this proposal' based on the New Zealand earthquake), details the specific evidence observed in that data (P-waves passing through the center), and concludes by explaining why this wave behavior proves the solid core.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the topic sentence that introduces the main claim.
The sentence starting 'In 1936, seismologist Inge Lehmann...' introduces the main claim that the Earth has a solid inner core.
A logical paragraph must establish its primary claim before presenting the evidence or data that supports it.
2
Link the claim to the source of the supporting evidence.
The sentence starting 'She based this proposal...' directly connects to the previous sentence by referring back to 'this proposal' and introducing the earthquake data.
This transition provides the context for the specific evidence that will follow.
3
Present the specific scientific evidence gathered from the data.
The sentence starting 'Lehmann observed that certain P-waves...' provides the specific details of the seismic waves observed in the earthquake data.
Specific evidence must follow the introduction of the data source to show how the data supports the claim.
4
Connect the evidence to the final conclusion that validates the initial claim.
The sentence starting 'The path of these waves...' connects back to the P-waves and concludes the paragraph.
This sentence explains how the observed wave behavior directly proves the initial claim of a solid inner core, wrapping up the paragraph logically.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question