Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

Which expository text structure is often used in science books?

1. Problem and Solution

2. Cause and Effect

3. Comparison/Contrast

4. Description

The correct answer is: Cause and Effect

The choice highlighting Cause and Effect as an expository text structure commonly found in science books is valid because this format allows authors to explore the relationships between different phenomena or events. In scientific writing, understanding how one event (the cause) leads to another (the effect) is crucial for explaining natural processes, experiments, and research findings. This structure helps readers grasp complex concepts by clearly demonstrating how and why certain outcomes occur, which is essential for fostering comprehension in scientific topics. While other structures such as Problem and Solution, Comparison/Contrast, and Description can be useful in various contexts, they are not as prevalent in scientific literature as Cause and Effect. For instance, Problem and Solution may focus more on issues in applied sciences, while Comparison/Contrast may be more frequently used in discussions analyzing different scientific theories or methodologies. Description is often utilized to provide details about a subject but may not inherently convey the interrelated nature of scientific concepts as effectively as Cause and Effect does.