There are three familiar states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Solid objects ordinarily maintain their shape and volume regardless of their location. A liquid occupies a definite volume, but assumes the shape of the occupied portion of its container. A gas maintains neither shape nor volume. It expands to fill completely whatever container it is in. John W. Hill and Dorris K Kolb, Chemistry for Changing Times
A) Nonargument.
B) Argument; conclusion: Solid objects ordinarily maintain ... their location.
C) Argument; conclusion: There are three familiar ... solid, liquid, and gas.
D) Argument; conclusion: A gas maintains neither shape nor volume.
E) Argument; conclusion: A gas expands to fill completely whatever container it is in.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The passage is descriptive, explaining the properties of the three states of matter without making an argument for a particular conclusion.

There Are Three Familiar States of Matter: Solid, Liquid and Gas