At a community recycling center, materials are sorted into groups based on what they are made of. Paper products include notebooks, newspapers, and cardboard. This group is light, easy to stack, and can be turned into new paper. Plastics form another group. Bottles, snack containers, and jugs belong here; many are labeled with symbols that show different kinds of plastic. Glass is its own group because it melts at high temperatures and can be remade into jars and windows. Clear, green, and brown glass may be separated again inside this category. Metals are also grouped together, like aluminum cans and steel food tins. These items are strong, shiny, and easy to recycle because they can be melted and shaped again. Some materials do not fit these groups, such as food scraps or clothing, so they go to different programs. By organizing items into categories with shared features, the center can reuse more materials and reduce trash.

Which organizational pattern is used?

Many schools are deciding whether to use tablets in the classroom. One advantage is portability: a tablet is light, so students can carry it between classes and on field trips. Another benefit is interactivity. Touch screens and educational apps let students explore models, zoom into maps, and hear pronunciations. Tablets can also save paper because readings and worksheets are stored digitally. However, there are disadvantages. Screens can be distracting, pulling attention away from the lesson with games or notifications. Battery life is another drawback; devices must be charged, and dead batteries interrupt learning. Cost can also be a concern, since tablets and protective cases are expensive to buy and fix. In addition, some students prefer taking notes by hand, which can help memory. When schools weigh these pros and cons, they consider their goals, budgets, and classroom routines. By examining both benefits and drawbacks, a school can choose the best tool for its students.

Which organizational pattern is used?

Plant growth follows a series of steps from seed to mature plant. First, a seed rests in soil and absorbs water. As it swells, the seed coat softens. Next, the tiny root, or radicle, pushes downward to anchor the seed and take in more water and minerals. Then a small shoot rises toward the light, carrying the seed leaves. After that, the seed leaves open and begin photosynthesis, turning light into energy. Soon, true leaves appear, and the stem grows taller and thicker. Later, the plant develops buds. When conditions are right, the buds open into flowers. Inside each flower, pollen moves to the ovary. After pollination, the flower forms fruit, and new seeds develop. Finally, the fruit dries or is eaten by animals, spreading the seeds to fresh soil. If those seeds land where they have water, light, and space, the cycle begins again. Each step depends on the one before it, creating a clear order.

Which organizational pattern is used?

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, and it is defined by how it forms, not by age alone. Fossils include bones, shells, leaf impressions, footprints, and even burrows. They form when an organism is buried by sediment, which protects it from decay. Over long periods, minerals replace the original material or fill the spaces, creating a rock-like record. This process is called fossilization. Fossils are different from artifacts, which are objects made by people, such as tools or pottery. A fossil can be as small as a pollen grain or as large as a dinosaur skeleton, but each fossil provides evidence of life from the past. Scientists use fossils to infer where and how organisms lived. For example, a fish fossil in desert rock indicates that area once held water. In short, a fossil is a natural record of life preserved in rock, characterized by formation in sediment and mineral replacement.

Which organizational pattern is used?

People often hear the word "watershed," but what does it actually mean? A watershed is defined as the area of land that drains rain and melted snow into a single body of water, such as a river, lake, or bay. In other words, it is the bowl-shaped region that collects water and channels it downhill because gravity pulls water along the land's surface. Every watershed has boundaries called divides, which are usually ridges or hills that separate where water flows. A watershed also includes the streams, soil, and even the plants that help filter and slow the water. For example, when rain falls on a forested hillside, leaves and roots absorb some water before the rest runs into creeks. A city block is part of a watershed too; its sidewalks and streets let water move quickly into storm drains. Non-examples help clarify the idea: a single river is not a watershed, but the land feeding that river is. Knowing this definition helps scientists and communities plan how to keep water clean.

Which organizational pattern is used in the passage?

Renewable energy sources can be grouped into several categories based on how they capture natural power. One category is solar energy, which collects light from the sun through panels or mirrors. A second category is wind energy; turbines spin when moving air pushes their blades. A third category is hydropower, which uses flowing or falling water to turn generators. Some classifications also include geothermal energy, drawn from heat inside Earth, and biomass, which comes from plant and animal materials. Although these types are all renewable, they differ in setting and equipment. For example, solar arrays spread across rooftops or deserts, while wind farms stand on open plains or offshore. Hydropower facilities cluster near rivers and dams. Grouping the sources in this way helps readers compare their features, such as reliability, cost, and environmental impact. By organizing renewable energy into types, the passage shows how each category works and where it fits best. This classification gives a clearer overview than a single example would provide.

Which organizational pattern is used in the passage?

Many schools consider requiring uniforms, and this choice has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is unity: when students wear the same outfit, they feel part of a team, which can reduce social pressure about brands. Uniforms may also save time in the morning because decisions are simpler, and they can lower costs for families over the year. However, there are drawbacks. Some students feel uniforms limit self-expression, which is important for identity. Others argue that uniforms do not solve deeper issues like bullying or distraction; these problems may come from behavior, not clothing. Comfort can be another disadvantage, especially in extreme weather or during active classes. On the other hand, supporters say rules can include flexible options, such as layers or athletic choices. Considering both sides helps a school make a fair decision. By weighing pros and cons rather than listing steps or categories, the discussion shows the trade-offs involved in a uniform policy.

Which organizational pattern is used in the passage?

To understand a butterfly's life cycle, follow the sequence of stages from beginning to end. First, an adult butterfly lays tiny eggs on the leaves of a host plant. After several days, the eggs hatch into caterpillars, called larvae. Next, the caterpillar eats leaves and grows quickly; as it grows, it sheds its skin several times. Then the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, also known as a pupa. Inside this case, major changes occur: legs, wings, and antennae develop while the larval body reorganizes. After about one to two weeks, the chrysalis splits, and a new butterfly emerges. At first, its wings are soft and folded, so the butterfly must pump fluid into them and wait until they harden. Finally, the adult flies off to feed on nectar and, eventually, to lay eggs, beginning the cycle again. Because each stage follows the one before it, this process is best described as a step-by-step sequence over time.

Which organizational pattern is used in the passage?