In the excerpts, the text structure of the first passage focuses on a personal narrative that intertwines historical context with the author’s family experiences in farming. This storytelling approach engages readers emotionally and illustrates the long-term impact of agricultural practices. In contrast, the second passage adopts an expository format, presenting scientific information about the consequences of plowing on soil health and biodiversity. The author uses detailed explanations to emphasize the ecological significance of microorganisms in soil. Each author likely chose their respective structures to effectively communicate their messages: the first to evoke a sense of personal connection and history, and the second to inform and educate readers on the critical role of soil health in sustainable farming.
"Industrial-Scale Farming, Sustainable Path"
by Miriam Horn
Working with his dad and brother on land homesteaded by his maternal great-grandparents just after the Civil War, Justin grew up hearing how his grandmothers put wet tea towels in windows to try to keep out the black blizzards of the Dust Bowl. Given responsibility for several fields while still in high school, he’d watched his own soils blowing and washing away, weeds running out of control and paltry yields. But it wasn’t until he went off to Kansas State University that he understood a prime cause of that damage: generations of plowing.
Though few landscapes appear more beautiful, fertile and orderly than the straight, black, fragrant furrows of a newly tilled field, plowing is unnatural and, in many climates and soils, one of the most destructive things a farmer can do. Plowing strips soil bare, exposing it to erosion by rain and wind. It collapses soil structure — closing off the water channels left by deep roots and worms — and harms life in the soil, which though it may appear dead is in fact Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem, containing a third of all organisms. Those thousands of microbial species are critical to human survival. They sustain photosynthesis, which all food and oxygen come from, by ferrying nutrients to plants and protecting them from pathogens. They decompose wastes, turning corpses of plants and animals back into new life. They’re also directly vital to human health, the source of 90 percent of antibiotics and 60 percent of anticancer drugs.
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Question
Use the excerpts to answer the question. Select Passage 1 and Passage 2.
In 3–5 sentences, compare and contrast the text structure of the two excerpts. Why do you think each author chose to present information in this way?
(4 points)
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.
The answer is fully supported by details.
There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.
3
The answer is mostly clear.
The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.
There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.
2
The answer is somewhat clear.
Details are weak or not related.
There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
1
The answer is not clear.
There are few or no supporting details.
There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
0 The question is not answered.
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