Question

Difficulty: EasyChronological Sequencing and Transitional Markers

An audio guide provides the following instructions for calibrating a digital refractometer in a laboratory: 'First, ensure the prism surface is completely clean and dry. Before applying any test sample, place two drops of distilled water onto the prism to perform a zero calibration. Once the reading is confirmed at zero, wipe the lens with a lint-free tissue. Finally, apply the sample solution and record the refractive index.' Based on the transitional markers in the spoken instructions, in what chronological order should the technician perform these actions?

  1. 1Clean and dry the prism surface thoroughly
  2. 2Apply distilled water to perform a zero calibration
  3. 3Wipe the lens with a lint-free tissue
  4. 4Apply the sample solution and record the refractive index

Answer

Clean and dry the prism surface thoroughly → Apply distilled water to perform a zero calibration → Wipe the lens with a lint-free tissue → Apply the sample solution and record the refractive index
The chronological sequence is determined by the explicit transitional markers: 'First' indicates starting with cleaning the surface; 'Before [subsequent action]' introduces performing the zero calibration with distilled water; 'Once [condition met]' introduces wiping the lens after confirming calibration; and 'Finally' marks applying the actual sample solution as the concluding step.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial sequential marker in the audio transcript
The phrase 'First, ensure the prism surface is completely clean and dry' establishes cleaning as the first action.
The marker 'First' denotes the starting action of the instructional procedure.
2
Analyze the temporal prepositional structure in the subsequent instruction
The instruction 'Before applying any test sample, place two drops of distilled water...' specifies that zero calibration must precede testing the actual sample.
'Before [action B], do [action A]' establishes that action A must occur prior to action B.
3
Identify the conditional/temporal marker for the intermediate step
The phrase 'Once the reading is confirmed at zero, wipe the lens...' positions wiping the lens immediately after zero calibration.
The marker 'Once' indicates an action that immediately follows the completion of a prerequisite condition.
4
Identify the concluding discourse marker
The phrase 'Finally, apply the sample solution and record the refractive index' establishes the final measurement.
The marker 'Finally' designates the terminal action in a structured sequence.

Key Concept

Chronological Sequencing and Transitional Markers in Spoken Instructions
Estimated Time:45s
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