SAT Question be3363dd: Answer & Explanation

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

• Suzanne K. Birner led a study analyzing rocks on the seafloor to better understand the history of Earth’s mantle.
• Rock samples were collected from two seafloor ridges.
• The researchers determined the samples’ period of formation (the Archean eon) and oxidation level (extremely low).
• High temperatures in the Archean likely caused the rocks’ low oxidation.
• Birner’s team suggests the oxidation of Earth’s mantle has remained stable over time, contrary to previous theories.
• The findings help explain the unique conditions that allowed life to develop on Earth.

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Difficulty:Hard

The student wants to present the study’s research methods. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Birner led a study to better understand the history of Earth’s mantle and explain the conditions that allowed life to develop.

To further analyze the origins of Earth’s unique conditions, researchers focused on rocks from the Archean eon, when Earth’s temperatures were extremely high.

By studying these ancient rocks, the team aimed to challenge previous theories about changes in Earth’s mantle over time.

Birner’s team analyzed the age and oxidation levels of rock samples collected from two seafloor ridges.

SAT Question be3363dd: Rhetorical Synthesis answer and explanation

Explanation

Why the other choices are wrong