Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyPart-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents support unique ecosystems that thrive in the absolute darkness of the ocean floor. These vents discharge superheated, mineral-rich fluids into the surrounding water, which fuels specialized bacteria. These chemosynthetic bacteria convert the dissolved chemicals into organic nutrients, forming the base of the food web for larger organisms like tube worms and crabs. Without this chemical output from the Earth's crust, these diverse biological communities could not exist.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

  1. A
    It summarizes the overall conclusion that deep-sea ecosystems can thrive in the absence of sunlight.
  2. B
    It details the biological mechanism that bacteria use to produce nutrients for larger animals.
  3. It identifies the chemical discharge from the vents that serves as the source of energy for the bacteria.Answer
  4. D
    It suggests that hydrothermal vents are the only locations on Earth where chemosynthetic life exists.

Answer

The correct answer identifies the chemical discharge from the vents that serves as the source of energy for the bacteria.
The correct option is correct because the underlined sentence states that the vents discharge fluids that fuel specialized bacteria. This directly corresponds to identifying the chemical discharge from the vents that serves as the source of energy for the bacteria.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined sentence to identify its specific content.
The underlined sentence states that hydrothermal vents discharge superheated, mineral-rich fluids that fuel specialized bacteria.
Understanding the precise claim or detail in the portion of text being tested is the first step in identifying its rhetorical function.
2
Examine the surrounding context to determine how the underlined sentence connects to the rest of the text.
The preceding sentence introduces the vents as supporting unique ecosystems, while the following sentences explain how the bacteria fueled by the vents' discharge form the base of the food web. Thus, the underlined sentence establishes the link between the vents' chemical discharge and the bacterial life that supports the ecosystem.
Determining how the sentence connects to the preceding and succeeding information reveals its functional role in the passage.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that accurately describes this relationship.
The option stating that the sentence identifies the chemical discharge that serves as the energy source for the bacteria matches the function of providing the connection between the vents and the ecosystem's bacterial foundation.
Comparing the functional analysis with the choices allows for the selection of the most accurate, supported option.

Key Concept

Identifying the rhetorical function of a specific sentence within a passage
Rate this question

Topics

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

More questions from this topic