Numerical answer
The four sentences below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the correct order and key in the sequence of numbers as your answer.
1. Consequently, small changes in prevailing wind patterns or ocean currents can trigger disproportionately large shifts in a region's climate, a phenomenon climatologists call a tipping point.
2. Climate systems are often described using the metaphor of a ball resting in a valley, stable under small perturbations but liable to roll into an entirely different valley if pushed hard enough.
3. The West African monsoon and the Amazon rainforest's rainfall cycle are both suspected of harboring such tipping points, thresholds beyond which the system shifts abruptly to a qualitatively different state.
4. Unlike gradual, linear change, a tipping point implies a threshold beyond which reversal becomes difficult or impossible even if the original trigger is later removed.
1. Consequently, small changes in prevailing wind patterns or ocean currents can trigger disproportionately large shifts in a region's climate, a phenomenon climatologists call a tipping point.
2. Climate systems are often described using the metaphor of a ball resting in a valley, stable under small perturbations but liable to roll into an entirely different valley if pushed hard enough.
3. The West African monsoon and the Amazon rainforest's rainfall cycle are both suspected of harboring such tipping points, thresholds beyond which the system shifts abruptly to a qualitatively different state.
4. Unlike gradual, linear change, a tipping point implies a threshold beyond which reversal becomes difficult or impossible even if the original trigger is later removed.
Show answer and solution
Answer: 2143
Sentence 2 introduces the valley metaphor for climate stability. Sentence 1 draws the consequence — small changes can trigger large shifts, i.e. tipping points. Sentence 4 elaborates the defining feature of a tipping point (difficulty of reversal). Sentence 3 grounds this in concrete examples. Order: 2-1-4-3.
Saved on this device. Sign in or create a free account to keep it on every device.