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Question

Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

The sentences below are from a draft of a scientific essay about marine camouflage. What is the most logical order for these sentences to ensure that the supporting evidence follows the main claim?

  1. 1The Hawaiian bobtail squid employs a sophisticated method of camouflage known as counterillumination to evade predators while hunting at night.
  2. 2This technique relies on a symbiotic relationship with bioluminescent *Vibrio fischeri* bacteria housed in a specialized organ on the squid's underside.
  3. 3These bacteria produce a blue-green light that the squid adjusts to match the intensity of the downwelling moonlight and starlight.
  4. 4By matching the ambient light, the squid effectively eliminates its shadow, preventing predators swimming below from detecting its silhouette.

Answer

The correct order of the sentences is: 'The Hawaiian bobtail squid employs a sophisticated method of camouflage...', followed by 'This technique relies on a symbiotic relationship...', then 'These bacteria produce a blue-green light...', and finally 'By matching the ambient light...'.
The correct sequence begins with the main claim about the squid's counterillumination camouflage, followed by the introduction of the symbiotic bacteria ('This technique...'), then the detail about how the bacteria produce light ('These bacteria...'), and concludes with the direct outcome of how this light matching prevents predation ('By matching...'). This ensures each sentence builds on the previous one, and the supporting details logically validate the initial claim.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory sentence that makes the main claim.
The sentence introducing the Hawaiian bobtail squid's use of counterillumination camouflage is the only one that does not rely on referring back to a previous concept, making it the logical start.
Establishing the main claim first sets the context for all subsequent details.
2
Look for transition words or referential pronouns that link sentences together.
The phrase 'This technique' links the second sentence directly to the 'counterillumination' technique in the first sentence, and 'These bacteria' links the third sentence to the 'bacteria' mentioned in the second sentence.
Referential pronouns require a previously introduced antecedent to be grammatically and logically coherent.
3
Connect the final outcome to the initial claim.
The sentence beginning 'By matching the ambient light' describes how the squid eliminates its shadow and prevents detection by predators, which directly supports the claim of evading predators introduced in the first sentence.
Concluding the paragraph with the ultimate function of the camouflage shows how the evidence supports the main claim.

Key Concept

Ordering sentences to ensure that supporting evidence logically builds upon and substantiates a central claim.
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Topics

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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