Question

Which of the following options is the best supporting detail for the topic sentence "Oceans and lakes are comprised of many common things, but they are also quite different"?

1. Oceans and lakes contain a variety of fish, but a major difference is in the type of water the fish need for survival.
2. Oceans and lakes both are affected by weather but only oceans have hurricanes.
3. Plants and sea creatures are very different in oceans and lakes.
4. Many studies have been done on the creatures that live in lakes to identify their differences with ocean creatures.

Answer 1

The best supporting detail reflecting the differences between oceans and lakes is how the type of water, such as salinity, impacts the survival of fish species, highlighting oceans' generally salty water contrasted with the freshwater found in lakes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best supporting detail for the topic sentence "Oceans and lakes are comprised of many common things, but they are also quite different" is option 1. This choice effectively highlights one of the key differences between these bodies of water: "Oceans and lakes contain a variety of fish, but a major difference is in the type of water the fish need for survival." It underscores that while both ecosystems support a diversity of aquatic life, the salinity of the water is a fundamental distinction affecting species' survival. Oceans, generally containing salty water, contrast with the freshwater environments of lakes.

Moreover, factors such as temperature, light penetration, and thermal stratification significantly affect the aquatic species and the biological activities within these two types of ecosystems. For instance, phytoplankton in the photic zone of lakes and oceans perform photosynthesis and support the food web, yet the species composition of these primary producers may differ due to the variation in water salinity and nutrient availability.