Craft and StructureEasy–MediumFunction of a question in a science text
Craft and Structure practice question
Each spring, loggerhead turtles return to nest on the beach where they hatched, after years crossing thousands of miles of open ocean. How do they find their way back? Experiments with captive hatchlings suggest an answer: the turtles read the Earth's magnetic field, which varies subtly from coast to coast.
Which choice best describes the function of the question in the text?
- A. It poses the puzzle that the research described in the text set out to solve.Correct
- B. It expresses the author's doubt that the research was worthwhile.
- C. It signals that the answer is impossible to determine.
- D. It criticizes earlier researchers for ignoring the problem.
Answer: A. It poses the puzzle that the research described in the text set out to solve.
The question ('how do they find their way back?') states the mystery, and the next sentence describes the experiments designed to answer it.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. It expresses the author's doubt that the research was worthwhile.
- The text treats the research respectfully and reports its findings.
- C. It signals that the answer is impossible to determine.
- The text goes on to describe experiments that produced an answer.
- D. It criticizes earlier researchers for ignoring the problem.
- No earlier researchers are mentioned, let alone criticized.
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