Question

read this passage.

rocky mountain national park, nicknamed
ocky,\ is a true marvel of the american west and contains a variety of animals, plant life, and even climates. there are four ecosystems inside rocky mountain national park: riparian, montane, subalpine, and alpine tundra. you might see a moose or mule deer drinking from a pond in a riparian ecosystem, which are areas that are near streams or lakes. riparian ecosystems can be found within the other three ecosystems. the montane ecosystem is the lowest in elevation at rocky. there you will find ponderosa pine trees and wide-open mountain meadows, lush with wildflowers in the summer. climb a little higher into the subalpine ecosystem, where long winters and short, cool summers make up the climate. look high into a limber pine tree and you might spot a clarks nutcracker, nibbling on pine seeds. finally, the highest elevation in rocky is the alpine tundra. bitter cold and wind-blasted defines this ecosystem with its jagged mountain tops that are capped with snow even in late august. each of these ecosystems has a quality all its own, but they are all interconnected, comprising a true american treasure:
ocky.\

which of the following is a minor supporting detail in the one paragraph essay above?

finally, the highest elevation in rocky is the alpine tundra.
there are four ecosystems inside rocky mountain national park: riparian, montane, subalpine, and alpine tundra.
the montane ecosystem is the lowest in elevation at rocky.
there you will find ponderosa pine trees and wide-open mountain meadows, lush with wildflowers in the summer.

Explanation:

Analyze the structure of the paragraph

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we identify the main idea and major supporting details. The paragraph introduces Rocky Mountain National Park and its four distinct ecosystems: riparian, montane, subalpine, and alpine tundra.

Distinguish major vs minor details

Major details introduce each of the four ecosystems. Minor details provide specific, descriptive examples within those ecosystems, such as specific plant species or seasonal descriptions.

Evaluate the first option

"Finally, the highest elevation in Rocky is the alpine tundra." This is a major supporting detail because it introduces one of the four main ecosystems (alpine tundra).

Evaluate the second and third options

"There are four ecosystems inside Rocky Mountain National Park..." and "The montane ecosystem is the lowest in elevation..." are major structural details that outline the main categories of the passage.

Identify the minor detail

"There you will find ponderosa pine trees and wide-open mountain meadows, lush with wildflowers in the summer." This sentence provides specific, illustrative examples of what is found inside the montane ecosystem, making it a minor supporting detail.

Answer:

• (A) Finally, the highest elevation in Rocky is the alpine tundra.
• (B) There are four ecosystems inside Rocky Mountain National Park: riparian, montane, subalpine, and alpine tundra.
• (C) The montane ecosystem is the lowest in elevation at Rocky.
• (D) There you will find ponderosa pine trees and wide-open mountain meadows, lush with wildflowers in the summer. (Correct answer)