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Difficulty: MediumSupporting Claims with Evidence and Details

A writer is editing a draft of a scientific essay about forest ecosystems.

[1] Beneath the forest floor, a complex network of fungal threads known as mycorrhizae connects the roots of individual trees, allowing them to share resources.
[2] Larger, older "hub trees" occupy central nodes in this network, distributing excess sugars to younger seedlings that would otherwise struggle to survive.
[3] Recent experiments show that trees can even use these fungal pathways to transmit warning signals about insect attacks to nearby vegetation.
[4] Fungi benefit from this relationship as well, absorbing carbon produced by the trees through photosynthesis.

The writer wants to add a sentence after Sentence 3 that provides specific, concrete details to support the claim that trees use the network to transmit warning signals. Which of the following sentences would best achieve this goal?

  1. For example, when a Douglas fir is attacked by budworms, it sends signals through the network that prompt neighboring pines to produce insect-repelling chemicals.Answer
  2. B
    These massive hub trees, which can live for centuries, have root systems that cover several acres of forest.
  3. C
    Upon receiving these warning signals through the roots, defensive chemicals are immediately produced by neighboring plants.
  4. D
    Trees are capable of sharing various kinds of information with other plants nearby when they are threatened by pests.

Answer

The option stating that a Douglas fir attacked by budworms sends signals prompting neighboring pines to produce insect-repelling chemicals is correct.
The correct option provides highly specific, concrete details (Douglas fir, budworms, neighboring pines, insect-repelling chemicals) that directly support the claim in Sentence 3 about how trees transmit warning signals about insect attacks.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt to identify the specific claim that needs support and the required type of detail.
The claim is that trees use the fungal network to transmit warning signals about insect attacks, and the writer requires specific, concrete details to support this.
Understanding the precise goal prevents choosing options that support the wrong claim or lack sufficient detail.
2
Evaluate each option to see if it directly supports the warning signals claim and provides specific, concrete detail without grammatical errors.
The option about the Douglas fir and budworms provides specific details. The option about hub tree size does not support the signals claim. The option about general sharing is too vague. The option starting with 'Upon receiving' has a dangling modifier.
This filters out options that are off-topic, grammatically incorrect, or too general.
3
Confirm that the chosen option is grammatically correct and directly answers the question.
The sentence about the Douglas fir is grammatically sound, specific, and supports the warning signals claim.
Verifying grammar and rhetorical alignment ensures the final selection is completely correct.

Key Concept

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details
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Topics

Supporting Claims with Evidence and Details

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