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, identify and explain the evidence that the author uses to support the claim that “Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world.”

Question

Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.

(4 points)
Responses

The author talks about sloths a lot in this paragraph. For example, the text states that sloths are "expert swimmers and climbers." It is probably a lot of fun to watch a sloth swim in the water. Maybe you can see sloths swim at the local zoo.
The author talks about sloths a lot in this paragraph. For example, the text states that sloths are "expert swimmers and climbers." It is probably a lot of fun to watch a sloth swim in the water. Maybe you can see sloths swim at the local zoo.

The author loves to talk about sloths. For example, the text says that sloths can do lots of cool things. It lists several different items that sloths can do. All of these are important things to know about sloths.
The author loves to talk about sloths. For example, the text says that sloths can do lots of cool things. It lists several different items that sloths can do. All of these are important things to know about sloths.

The author uses a few different ways to support the claim about sloths. For example, the text says that we can be thankful that they are around. Sloths are many people's favorite type of animal, so there are probably a lot of people who are thankful for them.
The author uses a few different ways to support the claim about sloths. For example, the text says that we can be thankful that they are around. Sloths are many people's favorite type of animal, so there are probably a lot of people who are thankful for them.

The author uses a few different ways to support the claim about sloths. For example, the text states that they are important to the ecosystem by spreading seeds. This is an interesting piece of information that many people may not know about sloths.

Answer 1

The response that BEST completes the R.A.C.E strategy for the given prompt is:

The author uses a few different ways to support the claim about sloths. For example, the text states that they are important to the ecosystem by spreading seeds. This is an interesting piece of information that many people may not know about sloths.

This response effectively restates the prompt, answers the question by summarizing evidence from the text, cites specific evidence regarding sloths' role in the ecosystem, and explains why this information is significant. It connects the claim to concrete details from the passage while making a broader point about the relevance of this information.