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Craft and StructureMediumOne text supplying a mechanism for another's observation

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 Gardeners have long noticed that tomatoes grown beside basil suffer less from aphids. Text 2 Basil leaves release volatile oils that aphids avoid, and the oils spread through the air to neighbouring plants within about half a metre.

Based on the texts, how does Text 2 relate to the observation in Text 1?

  1. A. It explains how basil could protect nearby tomatoes: its oils repel aphids over a short distance.Correct
  2. B. It denies that basil affects aphids.
  3. C. It argues that tomatoes should not be grown near basil.
  4. D. It shows that gardeners are mistaken.

Answer: A. It explains how basil could protect nearby tomatoes: its oils repel aphids over a short distance.

Repellent oils spreading half a metre: the mechanism behind the observation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It denies that basil affects aphids.
Text 2 says aphids avoid the oils.
C. It argues that tomatoes should not be grown near basil.
Not argued.
D. It shows that gardeners are mistaken.
Text 2 supports the gardeners.

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