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Set 3: Cross-Text Connections

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

Text 1 The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy, or disorder, in an isolated system always increases. This implies a universe moving inexorably towards chaos and heat death. Text 2 Life appears to violate this law by creating complex, ordered structures (organisms) from simple inputs. However, life is not an isolated system. It maintains local order by increasing the entropy of its surroundings (releasing heat), thus satisfying the Second Law globally.

How does Text 2 reconcile the existence of life with the physical law in Text 1?

A. By clarifying the scope: life creates local order at the expense of greater global disorder.✓ Correct
B. By proving the Second Law is wrong.
C. By saying life is chaotic.
D. By claiming organisms are isolated systems.

Detailed Explanation

Text 1: Entropy increases (Chaos). Text 2: Life (Order) seems to violate. Reconciliation: Not isolated/Global increase vs Local order.

Key Evidence:

• "isolated system"

• "maintains local order"

• "increasing the entropy of its surroundings"

Why others are wrong: B (Satisfies the law.), C (Complex, ordered.), D (Not isolated.).

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