Official Explanation
9. The author mentions “anti-mycoplasma antibodies” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph in order to
Difficulty Level: Hard
Explanation
A question about why the author mentions a certain term is a Specific Detail question. The relevant sentence is the seventh sentence in the second paragraph: In 2006, more than 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had anti-mycoplasma antibodies, seropositive indication of the disease. In other words, the presence of anti-mycoplasma anti-bodies indicates that 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had a certain disease in 2006.
(A) Although the passage states that released captive tortoises can rapidly spread URTD into the wild population with devastating consequences, it does not explicitly state that captive tortoises should not be released into the wild.
(B) No claims are made that captive tortoises are healthier than those in the wild, so no such claims are refuted.
(C) Although the disease symptoms are mentioned in the second paragraph, the anti-mycoplasma antibodies do not explain the symptoms, they merely indicate which tortoises have the disease.
(D) CORRECT. The passage mentions the disease URTD as a contributor to the population decline and goes on to indicate that in 2006, more than 80 percent of captive desert tortoises had anti-mycoplasma antibodies, seropositive indication of the disease [URTD]. The fact that URTD is so widespread supports the overall claim that the disease is a contributor to the population decline.
(E) The third paragraph does discuss the possible effects of diet on the desert tortoise’s ability to resist pathogens, but this is not why the term anti-mycoplasma antibodies was introduced in the second paragraph.
Answer: D