Consider the following sentences:
[A] Such symbiotic relationships illustrate that cooperation can drive evolutionary adaptation as forcefully as competition.
[B] In return, the plant supplies the fungal partner with photosynthetically derived carbohydrates.
[C] Mycorrhizal fungi colonize the root systems of most terrestrial vascular plants.
[D] Through extensive hyphal networks, they dramatically enhance the plant's absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen.

Which sequence represents the most cohesive paragraph structure?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. C -> D -> B -> A

  1. Step 1: Identify the standalone topic sentence. Sentence [C] introduces the biological subject: mycorrhizal fungi colonizing terrestrial vascular plant root systems.
  2. Step 2: Follow the reciprocal mutualistic exchange: Sentence [D] explains what the fungi provide ("Through extensive hyphal networks, they dramatically enhance... absorption"), Sentence [B] describes the reciprocal trade ("In return, the plant supplies..."), and Sentence [A] synthesizes the overall evolutionary lesson ("Such symbiotic relationships illustrate..."). This creates the cohesive sequence: C -> D -> B -> A.
Answer
C -> D -> B -> A.

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