An office sets its thermostat (the electronic climate control) to automatically adjust according to the time of day. At 7:00 a.m., it is set for a comfortable 65 degrees for when workers are present. At 7:00 p.m., the setting changes to 80 degrees in order to save some energy overnight. Describe the cycle of the air temperature in the office.

Question

A. At 7:00 a.m., the temperature immediately rises from 65 degrees to 80 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 p.m. Then, the temperature immediately drops from 80 degrees to 65 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 a.m. the following day.

B. At 7:00 a.m., the temperature begins gradually rising from 65 degrees to 80 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 p.m. Then, the temperature begins gradually dropping from 80 degrees to 65 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 a.m. the following day.

C. At 7:00 a.m., the temperature immediately drops from 80 degrees to 65 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 p.m. Then, the temperature immediately rises from 65 degrees to 80 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 a.m. the following day.

D. At 7:00 a.m., the temperature begins gradually dropping from 80 degrees to 65 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 p.m. Then, the temperature begins gradually rising from 65 degrees to 80 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 a.m. the following day.

Answer 1

The correct description of the cycle of the air temperature in the office is:

B. At 7:00 a.m., the temperature begins gradually rising from 65 degrees to 80 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 p.m. Then, the temperature begins gradually dropping from 80 degrees to 65 degrees, where it stays until 7:00 a.m. the following day.

This reflects that the thermostat adjusts the temperature gradually rather than suddenly. The office starts at a comfortable 65 degrees in the morning, gradually warms up to 80 degrees by the evening, and then gradually cools back down to 65 degrees overnight.