Generally, interspecific matings represent an evolutionary dead end, p

Professor Rowher would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

Siddarth, The questions asks us to draw an inference based on what Professor Rowher had to say. This is a hybrid question (details + inference question) for which we can simply focus on para 3. An analogy method could be used for such a question. Here, we have to look at the answers and make sure their method of reasoning is similar to what Prof. Rowher says.

Breakdown of Para 3 - Acc. to Prof.
1. Collared flycatcher choose to nest with sub. collared flycatcher (who have good territory) - Why? - engender a successful offspring. We can conclude that female collared flycatchers want to raise successful offspring, therefore, they nest with sub. collared flycatcher with good territory.
2. Now notice the transition word However, even after doing so, they still copulate with other attractive males. This sentence is a counter argument, where prof. notices that they still mate with others- why? because they want to engender the best offspring.
3. Last transition, word- Thus, just sums up the previous sentences.

And now if we look at the opening sentence of the para. "Although all three of these mechanisms appear to act in concert to form a single elaborate mechanism specifically evolved to circumvent the usual disadvantages of interspecific mating, studies have shown similar motivations for the behavior of female collared flycatchers mating within the species."
.
We have to notice that Prof. Rowher will likely speak or affirm his thoughts for the italicized part, and in his observations he affirms the sentence. The author is using Prof. Rowhers observations as evidence to support the topic sentence.
From the passage, we can conclude that the someone is doing something for a purpose, and even after accomplishing, it still seeks to fulfill that purpose. In this case the female flyed catcher comes to behave in a certain way for its offspring (raising successful offspring = need good territory), and even after being successful it still seeks others, - Why? - now the evolved behavior has become functional - and second nature to it.

Thus, it can be clearly noted that option C is the answer. Also, notice the word even plays a crucial role in this sentence. no other option has that word or any similar word. Whereas, we know that this is a critical word describing the behavior of the female catcher in the passage.

You can also use the elimination method:
A. likely, but Prof Rowher only talks about one trait here. "ALL traits" is a red flag.
B. Prof. Rowher is not talking about the bird mating in general - Out of scope
D. This is an opposite answer. Evolution in behavior has played a role.
E. Too broad. Don't bring outside knowledge. Moreover, avoid very broad answers in inference+details question.

Tips to eliminate options in Gmat RC :
1. Eliminate answers that are absolute (some rare exceptions)
2. Understand ques type.
Global question - answers can be broad and never specific.
Detail question - answers can never be broad.
Inference ques - assumptions are wrong in this quest type, an inference must always hold true and we should be able to verify it in the passage.


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