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Difficulty: HardCausal Detail Extraction

Read the following passage:

During high-altitude flight through convective clouds, supercooled water droplets freeze instantaneously upon striking an aircraft's leading edges. This rapid ice accumulation alters the airfoil's aerodynamic contour, which consequently disrupts laminar airflow and diminishes total lift. To counteract this lift deficit, pilots frequently increase the pitch angle; however, exceeding the critical angle of attack in iced conditions triggers an immediate aerodynamic stall. Ground crews must inspect de-icing boots prior to departure, because degraded rubber coatings prevent pneumatic expansion cycles from fracturing the bond between ice and the wing.

According to the passage, what directly causes the disruption of laminar airflow and the subsequent reduction in lift?

  1. A
    Degraded rubber coatings preventing pneumatic expansion cycles
  2. B
    The pilot increasing the aircraft pitch angle beyond the critical threshold
  3. The alteration of the airfoil's aerodynamic contour by ice accumulationAnswer
  4. D
    An immediate aerodynamic stall triggered during cloud penetration

Answer

The alteration of the airfoil's aerodynamic contour by ice accumulation
The text directly links the alteration of the airfoil's aerodynamic contour to the disruption of laminar airflow using the causal connector 'which consequently'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the targeted effect in the passage text
Identified the clause 'disrupts laminar airflow and diminishes total lift'.
The prompt asks specifically for the direct cause of this airflow disruption and lift deficit.
2
Trace the explicit causal indicator preceding the effect
Found the causal connector 'which consequently', linked directly to 'This rapid ice accumulation alters the airfoil's aerodynamic contour'.
Causal detail extraction requires connecting explicit cause-and-effect transitional markers to their stated antecedents.
3
Match the extracted cause with the correct statement
Selected the option reflecting the structural alteration of the airfoil shape caused by ice accumulation.
This accurately reflects the explicit factual link stated in the passage without confusing subsequent pilot actions or ground procedures.

Key Concept

Extracting explicit cause-and-effect relationships signaled by causal transition terms in factual texts.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Causal Detail Extraction

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