Question

most of the ice found on earth is ice ih, distinguished by a crystalline structure in which molecules form a hexagonal pattern. amorphous ice, on the other hand, constitutes most of the ice in the ultrarigid environment of outer space. defined by a disorganized molecular structure, __ which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english? a) ice ih contains crystals, whereas amorphous ice, which lacks the thermal energy to form them, does not. b) amorphous ice lacks the thermal energy to form the crystals found in ice ih. c) the lack of thermal energy in amorphous ice explains its inability to form the crystals found in ice ih. d) ice ih differs from amorphous ice in that it possesses the thermal energy to form crystals.

Explanation:

The text is comparing ice Ih and amorphous ice. The previous sentence defines amorphous ice by its disorganized molecular structure. Option B directly follows this by stating that amorphous ice lacks the thermal energy to form the crystals found in ice Ih, maintaining the focus on amorphous ice and providing a logical continuation. Option A starts with ice Ih which disrupts the flow. Option C has a more convoluted structure. Option D again starts with ice Ih instead of continuing to elaborate on amorphous ice.

Answer:

B. amorphous ice lacks the thermal energy to form the crystals found in ice Ih.