The reduction in environmental awareness that defines sleep renders animals vulnerable to predation. Although animals can dilute this risk by sleeping in groups, the benefit is greatest for those in the center, farthest from approaching predators. Indeed, mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) switch from sleeping with both eyes closed and both cerebral hemispheres [bihemispheric slow-wave sleep (BSWS)] when safely flanked by other birds to sleeping unihemispherically, with one eye open and the contralateral hemisphere awake, when exposed at the edge of a group. As sleeping at the edge is risky and results in lower quality unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS), birds likely compete to obtain and defend a central position within the group, especially when nesting in colonies. However, in colonial birds, such as penguins, intraspecific aggression from neighbors and disturbance from birds walking through the colony might have a negative impact on sleep. Given the threat from outside and the hustle and bustle within the colony, it is unclear whether nesting in the center of a colony leads to better sleep quantity and quality.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the passage?
- A. The passage examines the effect of decreased environmental awareness on some animals' predation risk and then describes the strategies those animals use to increase their environmental awareness while sleeping.
- B. The passage distinguishes between bihemispheric slow-wave sleep (BSWS) and unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS) and then explains why USWS is less beneficial than BSWS for animals such as mallards and penguins.
- C. The passage discusses the advantages for some animals of sleeping at the center of a group and then questions whether those advantages extend to colonial birds.
- D. The passage provides an extended description of how mallards typically sleep and then compares sleeping behaviors in mallards to those in penguins.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Choice C accurately captures the passage's structure, which begins by exploring the benefits of group sleeping for certain animals and then raises a critical inquiry regarding the applicability of these benefits to colonial birds. This dual focus on advantages and questioning reflects a balanced examination of the topic. Option A misrepresents the content by suggesting a focus on predation risk and strategies for environmental awareness, which is not the main theme. Option B incorrectly centers on a comparison of sleep types, neglecting the broader discussion of group sleeping benefits. Option D inaccurately emphasizes a detailed comparison of mallards and penguins, rather than the initial exploration of group sleeping advantages.
Choice C accurately captures the passage's structure, which begins by exploring the benefits of group sleeping for certain animals and then raises a critical inquiry regarding the applicability of these benefits to colonial birds. This dual focus on advantages and questioning reflects a balanced examination of the topic. Option A misrepresents the content by suggesting a focus on predation risk and strategies for environmental awareness, which is not the main theme. Option B incorrectly centers on a comparison of sleep types, neglecting the broader discussion of group sleeping benefits. Option D inaccurately emphasizes a detailed comparison of mallards and penguins, rather than the initial exploration of group sleeping advantages.
Other Related Questions
The author implies that the social sciences:
- A. are valued for their techniques
- B. can make no contribution to progress
- C. cannot deal with long-term issues
- D. may someday add to the world's knowledge
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The social sciences are portrayed as fields that hold potential for future contributions to global knowledge, indicating optimism about their evolving role. Option A suggests that their value lies solely in techniques, which limits their broader impact. Option B dismisses their potential entirely, contradicting the author's implication of future contributions. Option C incorrectly asserts that social sciences cannot address long-term issues, overlooking their capability to analyze historical trends and societal changes. Thus, the emphasis on future contributions aligns best with the text's implications.
The social sciences are portrayed as fields that hold potential for future contributions to global knowledge, indicating optimism about their evolving role. Option A suggests that their value lies solely in techniques, which limits their broader impact. Option B dismisses their potential entirely, contradicting the author's implication of future contributions. Option C incorrectly asserts that social sciences cannot address long-term issues, overlooking their capability to analyze historical trends and societal changes. Thus, the emphasis on future contributions aligns best with the text's implications.
Why does the author place quotation marks around the word 'patriotic' (sentence 2)?
- A. To attribute to postwar Americans the perception of Wrigley’s gum as patriotic
- B. To praise the patriotism the Wrigley Company demonstrated during wartime
- C. To show that American soldiers used the word 'patriotic' to describe Wrigley’s gum
- D. To reveal that the Wrigley Company changed the name of its gum to include the word 'patriotic'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The use of quotation marks around 'patriotic' indicates that the term reflects the perception held by postwar Americans rather than the author's own endorsement. This suggests a distance from the term, highlighting it as a viewpoint rather than an absolute truth. Option B misinterprets the author's intent; the quotation marks do not imply praise for the Wrigley Company's actions. Option C inaccurately suggests that soldiers specifically coined the term in reference to the gum, which is not supported by the context. Option D incorrectly assumes that the company changed the product name, which is not indicated in the text.
The use of quotation marks around 'patriotic' indicates that the term reflects the perception held by postwar Americans rather than the author's own endorsement. This suggests a distance from the term, highlighting it as a viewpoint rather than an absolute truth. Option B misinterprets the author's intent; the quotation marks do not imply praise for the Wrigley Company's actions. Option C inaccurately suggests that soldiers specifically coined the term in reference to the gum, which is not supported by the context. Option D incorrectly assumes that the company changed the product name, which is not indicated in the text.
What assumption does the author of the passage make?
- A. Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
- B. The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
- C. Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
- D. Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research is supported by the passage's context, which aims to highlight the potential of algae in energy production. This suggests a need to clarify the Department's involvement. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide a comparison of costs related to gas production. Option B is misleading; the passage does not confirm the Department's current use of hydrogen-producing algae. Option C is not supported; the passage does not address the capabilities of mutant algae in photosynthesis. Thus, option D aligns with the author's intent to bridge a knowledge gap.
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research is supported by the passage's context, which aims to highlight the potential of algae in energy production. This suggests a need to clarify the Department's involvement. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide a comparison of costs related to gas production. Option B is misleading; the passage does not confirm the Department's current use of hydrogen-producing algae. Option C is not supported; the passage does not address the capabilities of mutant algae in photosynthesis. Thus, option D aligns with the author's intent to bridge a knowledge gap.
Both authors indicate that meeting the world's food needs should not come at the expense of:
- A. innovative farming practices
- B. environmental integrity
- C. humane treatment of animals
- D. economic development
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Meeting the world’s food needs should prioritize environmental integrity, as it ensures sustainable practices that protect ecosystems for future generations. If environmental health is compromised, long-term agricultural productivity is at risk. Option A, innovative farming practices, while important, can still be pursued without sacrificing environmental integrity. Option C, humane treatment of animals, is critical but may not directly relate to the broader environmental concerns outlined by the authors. Option D, economic development, is essential for food security, but it should not overshadow the imperative of maintaining ecological balance.
Meeting the world’s food needs should prioritize environmental integrity, as it ensures sustainable practices that protect ecosystems for future generations. If environmental health is compromised, long-term agricultural productivity is at risk. Option A, innovative farming practices, while important, can still be pursued without sacrificing environmental integrity. Option C, humane treatment of animals, is critical but may not directly relate to the broader environmental concerns outlined by the authors. Option D, economic development, is essential for food security, but it should not overshadow the imperative of maintaining ecological balance.