Question

Suppose you read this passage in a written argument.

New research identifies cracks over the moon's crust that may have been created by cooling and shrinking over the past billion or so years. Scientists have discovered landforms littered across the moon's surface called lobate scarps that have apparently resulted from the moon's shrinking very slowly. These scarps were found all over the moon and appear to be minimally weathered, indicating that the geologic events that created them were fairly recent. This theory contradicts the claim that the moon is completely devoid of geologic activity.

What claim could be supported by the reasoning in this passage?

The moon is covered in lobate scarps due to impacts.

The moon’s temperatures are more extreme than earth's.

The moon is not static, but has been slowly changing over time.

The moon, unlike the earth, does not experience any geologic changes.

Answer 1

"The moon is not static, but has been slowly changing over time."

Explanation: The passage describes lobate scarps formed by cooling and shrinking (geologic activity) and notes they are recent, supporting ongoing slow change. The other options are not supported by the passage.