Question

Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

1. This process, a cornerstone of evolution, ensures that only individuals best suited to their environment survive to reproduce. 2. The diversity of life on Earth is the result of a gradual process of change over vast spans of time. 3. This leads to the gradual accumulation of favorable traits within a population. 4. It begins with inherited variation among individuals, where some possess characteristics that give them an advantage over others.

• A. 2, 1, 4, 3
• B. 4, 3, 1, 2
• C. 2, 4, 3, 1
• D. 1, 2, 4, 3

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 2, 4, 3, 1

• Sentence 2 opens by stating the big idea: life's diversity results from gradual change over vast time. This is a natural introduction to the paragraph.

• Sentence 4 follows by explaining how the process begins: with inherited variation among individuals, where some have advantageous characteristics.

• Sentence 3 continues by describing the next step: this leads to the gradual accumulation of favorable traits within a population.

• Sentence 1 concludes by naming the process (natural selection) and emphasizing its importance: it's a cornerstone of evolution ensuring only the best-suited individuals survive to reproduce.

Flow: general statement (2) → how it begins (4) → what happens next (3) → significance/importance (1).