16Hit1600
Expression of IdeasEasy–MediumEmphasising a contrast between two figures

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: - The Sahara is the largest hot desert on Earth, at about 9 million square kilometres. - The Gobi Desert in Asia covers about 1.3 million square kilometres. - The Sahara has average summer highs above 40°C. - The Gobi has winter lows below −30°C.

The student wants to emphasise the difference in size between the two deserts. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. At about 9 million square kilometres, the Sahara is nearly seven times the size of the 1.3-million-square-kilometre Gobi.Correct
  2. B. The Sahara and the Gobi are both large deserts, though their temperatures differ.
  3. C. Summers in the Sahara top 40°C, while Gobi winters can drop below −30°C.
  4. D. The Gobi Desert covers about 1.3 million square kilometres.

Answer: A. At about 9 million square kilometres, the Sahara is nearly seven times the size of the 1.3-million-square-kilometre Gobi.

Only choice A puts both areas side by side and spells out how much larger the Sahara is. That is what 'emphasise the difference in size' asks for.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The Sahara and the Gobi are both large deserts, though their temperatures differ.
This says they are both large and pivots to temperature — it blurs the size difference rather than emphasising it.
C. Summers in the Sahara top 40°C, while Gobi winters can drop below −30°C.
This contrasts temperatures, not sizes.
D. The Gobi Desert covers about 1.3 million square kilometres.
One desert's size alone gives nothing to compare against.

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