
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
Given the function $f(x) = x + a\ln x$ has its tangent line at $x = 1$ perpendicular to the line $x + 2y = 0$, and the function $g(x) = f(x) + \frac{1}{2}x^2 - bx$,
(Ⅰ) Determine the value of the real number $a$;
(Ⅱ) Let $x_1$ and $x_2$ ($x_1 < x_2$) be two extreme points of the function $g(x)$. If $b \geq \frac{7}{2}$, find the minimum value of $g(x_1) - g(x_2)$.

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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