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Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

The following sentences, when ordered logically, form a cohesive paragraph discussing the ancient Maya water management system in Tikal. What is the most logical sequence of these sentences to support the claim with clear functional evidence?

  1. 1To sustain a population of tens of thousands, the ancient Maya city of Tikal relied on a sophisticated system of human-made reservoirs to survive the region's intense dry seasons.
  2. 2These paved basins, constructed by plastering natural depressions and quarry pits, were designed to collect and store millions of gallons of rainwater during the wet months.
  3. 3During the subsequent months of drought, this stored water was released through a network of canals to irrigate agricultural fields and supply the city's residents.
  4. 4Archaeological excavations have confirmed that this system maintained clean drinking water by utilizing sand filters at the entry points of the main reservoirs.

Answer

The correct sequence of sentences is: 'To sustain a population of tens of thousands, the ancient Maya city of Tikal relied on a sophisticated system of human-made reservoirs to survive the region's intense dry seasons.', followed by 'These paved basins, constructed by plastering natural depressions and quarry pits, were designed to collect and store millions of gallons of rainwater during the wet months.', then 'During the subsequent months of drought, this stored water was released through a network of canals to irrigate agricultural fields and supply the city's residents.', and finally 'Archaeological excavations have confirmed that this system maintained clean drinking water by utilizing sand filters at the entry points of the main reservoirs.'
The correct ordering begins with the central claim that Tikal relied on human-made reservoirs to survive dry seasons. Next, the sentence defining these reservoirs as 'paved basins' that collect rainwater must follow because it defines the infrastructure. Then, the sentence describing how 'this stored water' is distributed during the drought follows to complete the system's functional timeline. Finally, the archaeological evidence of sand filtration concludes the paragraph by verifying the functionality and cleanliness of the system.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory claim that sets the topic for the paragraph.
The sentence introducing Tikal's reliance on reservoirs to survive dry seasons.
It introduces the central claim about Tikal's water management without requiring external context.
2
Identify the sentence that defines or elaborates on the reservoirs mentioned in the introduction.
The sentence beginning with 'These paved basins'.
The demonstrative pronoun 'These' links 'paved basins' directly to the 'human-made reservoirs' in the first sentence.
3
Trace the chronological and functional flow of the water storage system.
The sentence describing the release of water during the dry months.
After describing how the basins collected water in the wet months, the text must transition to how 'this stored water' was distributed during the drought.
4
Place the validating scientific evidence that supports the claim of viability.
The sentence discussing archaeological excavations and sand filtration.
It offers concrete scientific verification for the effectiveness of the system described in the previous sentences.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
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Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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