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Difficulty: EasyCross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

Text 1
Planetary scientist Dr. Joseph Meade argues that the majority of the water ice found in the Moon's permanently shadowed polar craters was delivered by water-rich comets during the early history of the solar system. According to Meade, chemical analyses of lunar soil samples reveal hydrogen isotope ratios that closely match those observed in cometary ice, suggesting that these sporadic cosmic impacts are the primary source of lunar water deposits. He maintains that alternative mechanisms are insufficient to explain the large volumes of ice concentrated in these craters.

Text 2
Planetary geologist Dr. Sarah Vance contends that the solar wind—a continuous stream of charged particles from the Sun—is the primary source of the Moon's surface water. Vance suggests that hydrogen ions from the solar wind constantly bombard the lunar regolith, reacting with oxygen atoms in the soil to form hydroxyl and water molecules. She points out that while comets may deliver water, solar wind bombardment is a steady, ongoing process that can easily account for the widespread distribution of water molecules across the lunar surface over billions of years.

Based on the passages, how would Vance (Text 2) most likely characterize Meade's claim (Text 1) regarding the origin of the Moon's water?

  1. A
    As a hypothesis that is entirely incorrect because comets do not contain water ice.
  2. B
    As an explanation that mistakenly assumes the solar wind plays no role in the solar system.
  3. As a view that identifies a real contributor of lunar water but overlooks the significance of a continuous, long-term process.Answer
  4. D
    As a theory that focuses too much on other planets instead of studying the Moon's surface.

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating that Vance would characterize Meade's claim as a view that identifies a real contributor of lunar water but overlooks the significance of a continuous, long-term process.
In Text 2, Vance acknowledges that comets may indeed deliver water to the Moon ('while comets may deliver water'), but she argues that the solar wind represents a 'steady, ongoing process' that is a more plausible explanation for the widespread distribution of water. Therefore, she would view Meade's cometary impact theory as identifying a real source of water, but underestimating the continuous process of solar wind bombardment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Text 1 to understand Meade's claim.
Meade claims that water-rich comets are the primary source of the Moon's water ice, pointing to isotope matches and arguing that other mechanisms are insufficient.
Establishing Meade's stance is necessary to compare it with Vance's perspective.
2
Analyze Text 2 to understand Vance's perspective on lunar water and cometary origin.
Vance argues that the solar wind is the primary source of surface water because it is a continuous, steady process. However, she explicitly concedes that comets may indeed deliver water to the Moon.
Determining how Vance views both the solar wind and the cometary explanation reveals her relational stance toward Meade's argument.
3
Compare Vance's stance to Meade's claim.
Vance recognizes comets as a source of water but favors the solar wind because of its steady, ongoing nature. Thus, she would view Meade's claim as identifying a real contributor but underestimating the ongoing process of solar wind bombardment.
This comparison directly leads to the correct answer choice.

Key Concept

Cross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison
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Cross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

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