Question

Question was provided via image upload.

Explanation:

Analyze the context of sentence 3

Sentence 3 states: "Existing grass close to the ground supports the first snowfall and, thanks to sublimation, creates the perfect winter habitat for these small burrowing animals." Sentence 4 then immediately refers to "They will have a sturdy frozen roof formed over their heads..."

Evaluate the options for supporting information

• Option 1: "The snow will create a unique space just above the ground and make it possible for the rodents to live there undisturbed through the winter months." This directly bridges the creation of the "perfect winter habitat" in sentence 3 with the "sturdy frozen roof" and "rooms below" mentioned in sentences 4 and 5 by explaining how the space is formed.
• Option 2: Focuses on digging tunnels and eating grass, which does not explain the physical formation of the subnivean space mentioned in sentence 3.
• Option 3: Focuses on raising offspring, which is not supported by the physical description of the habitat.
• Option 4: Explains the physical process of sublimation and hardening, but does not define the "space" or "habitat" that the rodents live in before describing their "sturdy frozen roof" and "rooms below."

Select the best supporting sentence

Option 1 is the most effective choice because it explains how the snow supports the creation of the physical space (the subnivean zone) between the ground and the snow, which directly connects sentence 3 (creating the habitat) to sentence 4 (the sturdy frozen roof over their heads).

Answer:

• (A) The snow will create a unique space just above the ground and make it possible for the rodents to live there undisturbed through the winter months. (Correct answer)
• (B) The rodents dig tunnels and make burrows in this habitat where the consumption of grasses will sustain them throughout the winter.
• (C) They will turn the space between the snow and the ground into a cozy home where they can raise offspring even during the cold winter months.
• (D) Snow falls on the ground but then sublimates, or turns into moist water vapor, which rises into the layer of snow directly above and hardens it.