Question

Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

The following sentences are from a draft of an essay about the Venus flytrap. To ensure that the paragraph's claim is logically supported by evidence in a step-by-step manner, what is the most logical order for these sentences?

  1. 1To prevent wasting energy on non-prey items like falling leaves or raindrops, the Venus flytrap relies on a precise counting mechanism.
  2. 2Specifically, the trap will only snap shut if a visiting insect contacts one of the sensitive trigger hairs twice within a 2020-second window.
  3. 3Furthermore, once the prey is captured, it must stimulate the hairs at least 33 more times to trigger the production of digestive enzymes.
  4. 4By requiring multiple signals at each stage, the plant avoids expending vital resources on debris that provides no nutritional benefit.

Answer

The most logical order is: first the introduction of the counting mechanism, followed by the description of the initial trap closure, then the subsequent stimulation for digestion, and finally the explanation of how this multi-stage requirement prevents resource waste.
The correct order follows a clear logical and chronological path. It begins with the general claim that the plant uses a counting mechanism to conserve energy. It then explains the first stage of this mechanism (the two touches needed for closure) followed by the second stage (the subsequent touches needed for digestion). Finally, it concludes by explaining how this multi-stage system supports the central claim of resource conservation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main claim of the paragraph.
The sentence introducing the Venus flytrap's counting mechanism to prevent energy waste sets the stage as the topic sentence.
A logical paragraph must begin by stating the central claim before providing supporting evidence.
2
Arrange the evidence chronologically or sequentially.
The sentence describing the first two touches required for closure must precede the sentence describing the three additional touches required for digestion.
The trap must close before digestion can begin, making the physical sequence of events the logical order.
3
Place the concluding summary sentence.
The sentence clarifying the benefit of multiple signals at 'each stage' is placed at the end.
This sentence refers back to the stages described in the previous sentences and concludes the paragraph by reinforcing the main claim of resource conservation.

Key Concept

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