SAT Practice42442008-1f03-4709-8ee5-daab0e253184

Practice one SAT question at a time

Questions come from the Bluebook question bank. Made by Iskaa303 (Iskander Madikhan).

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.

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