ANALYZATION QUESTION: Which of the following responses below BEST helps to complete the R.A.C.E (restate, answer, cite evidence, explain evidence) strategy for responding to the following prompt: In 2-3 sentences, explain what can be inferred about beavers.

Question

Beavers are an unlikely ally in the fight against wildfires. While beavers are most commonly known for their industrious dam building, they are also surprisingly beneficial to fire prevention. Beavers are able to create their own wetlands and slow the flow of water by damming streams, which in turn reduces the risk of wildfire. By slowing the flow of water, beavers create a buffer zone between the forest and the water source, reducing the risk of the fire spreading. The wetlands created by beavers also act as a firebreak, preventing the fire from spreading further into the forest. Additionally, the moist environment created by beavers helps create a fire-resistant habitat, making it less likely for a fire to take hold in the first place. It can be inferred that beavers are extremely beneficial to nature. They are able to provide a variety of services that help to fight against wildfires. These services illustrate how helpful these creatures are in our ecosystem.
It can be inferred that beavers are extremely beneficial to nature. They are able to provide a variety of services that help to fight against wildfires. These services illustrate how helpful these creatures are in our ecosystem.

It can be inferred that beavers are very helpful in fighting wildfires. Many people think that they should be protected by wildlife reserves in order to ensure they are around for many years to come. They are important!
It can be inferred that beavers are very helpful in fighting wildfires. Many people think that they should be protected by wildlife reserves in order to ensure they are around for many years to come. They are important!

It can be inferred that beavers are great at slowing the water of streams. This can be useful in dealing with wildfires. We don't want wildfires to spread, so this is very important.
It can be inferred that beavers are great at slowing the water of streams. This can be useful in dealing with wildfires. We don't want wildfires to spread, so this is very important.

It can be inferred that beavers are great animals. They are cute and furry, and many people thoroughly enjoy watching these animals in their natural habitats.
It can be inferred that beavers are great animals. They are cute and furry, and many people thoroughly enjoy watching these animals in their natural habitats.

Answer 1

To complete the R.A.C.E (restate, answer, cite evidence, explain evidence) strategy for the prompt, the response should clearly restate the question, provide a direct answer, cite specific evidence from the provided text, and explain the significance of that evidence in relation to the inference about beavers.

Among the provided options, the response that BEST completes the R.A.C.E strategy is:

"It can be inferred that beavers are extremely beneficial to nature. They are able to provide a variety of services that help to fight against wildfires. These services illustrate how helpful these creatures are in our ecosystem."

This response acknowledges the inference regarding beavers' benefits, answers directly by stating their importance in nature, cites their role in fire prevention as evidence, and provides an explanation of how their services contribute to the ecosystem.

Overall, it effectively fulfills all parts of the R.A.C.E strategy, making connections between beaver behavior and their ecological importance in wildfire prevention.