Question

review the text. each rock tells a story of its formation. to determine a rock type, look for clues about its story. compared with igneous and metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks may be the easiest to read. sedimentary rocks were often formed when sediment—particles of dirt, sand, or other matter—piled up on sea beds and then hardened into rock over time. therefore, the clue to identifying sedimentary rocks is the presence of tiny bits of different rocks pressed together, often in layers. look for stripes, indicating layers of sediment. if there are no layers, check for particles or rock fragments. sedimentary rocks sometimes also contain fossils or other petrified specimens. which best shows that the authors purpose is to explain how to identify sedimentary rocks? the author lists specific visual clues readers can look for. the author tells the story of different rock formations.

Explanation:

The author aims to explain rock - type identification. Listing specific visual clues like stripes, layers, particles, and fossils for sedimentary rocks shows this purpose. Telling the formation story is more general and doesn't directly focus on identification.

Answer:

The author lists specific visual clues readers can look for.