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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 03:44
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Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 04:00
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?
Show more
We need to strengthen the hypothesis that rodents bury seeds to promote new plant growth.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.-
- If true, it is possible that rodents are promoting plants where there are not enough plants hence, it is supporting the hypothesis.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
- As given rodents rarely recover the seeds and also the seeds buried with either purpose can be eaten by other animals hence, not supporting.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
-It weakens the hypothesis since, the seeds won't be able to germinate.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
-It weakens since when the rainfall is scarce seeds won't be able to germinate.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
-Not relevant to the hypothesis.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 04:13
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
This suggests purposeful placement of seeds to promote growth where it is most needed, where vegetation is lacking.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Neutral. This neither supports nor weakens the idea that burying helps plant growth or benefits the rodent long-term.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
Weakens. If seeds don't germinate, they can't promote new plant growth.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Scarcity might prompt more storage for survival, not necessarily for future plant growth.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
It doesn't support the idea that rodents bury seeds to promote plant growth.

Answer A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 04:22
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Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation as it not only stores food but also promote new plant. Areas less densely populated are effective for new plantation.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 05:00
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Got very good way to handle situation where we are stuck with two option.
Always go back and check exact reasoning and logic Just like here stuck with A and D

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
- explain the hypothesis , If rodents bury seeds where plants are sparse, they may be trying to encourage new growth
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. - Weaken
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. - Weaken
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. - Now here if rainfall is scare and that is scare this year so it doesn't not explain promoting plant growth. Because scare rainfall is this year , it may not be scare next year.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. - Tells us rodents aren't the only means of seed dispersal. Not relevant..
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 05:59
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Option Analysis:
(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
This supports the idea that rodents are strategically burying seeds to increase plant growth in areas that need it — supporting the hypothesis that they are trying to ensure future food supply.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
This weakens the idea that buried seeds help future growth — it suggests seeds are wasted, not contributing to growth

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
This goes against the hypothesis — it suggests seed burial fails to promote growth, which weakens the argument

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Somewhat related — but it supports survival behavior, not necessarily about promoting future growth.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
Irrelevant to rodents' intention — tells us about other dispersal methods, not about rodents promoting growth.

Option A is correct
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 06:06
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Researchers think that when rodents bury seeds, it serves 2 purposes. It acts as a way to store food and helps new plants grow near their burrows, which increases future food supplies.

To support this, let's look at the options:

A says that rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas with low plant density. This suggests that rodents pick spots where new plant growth would help increase future food supply. Keep.

B is a mild weakener imo. If seeds are eaten by other animals, then this reduces the number of seeds available for germination and growth. Eliminate.

C doesn't directly support the growth around home areas. Eliminate.

D emphasizes the storage function, but it doesn't connect to the growth aspect. Eliminate.

E is irrelevant because it doesn't explain how rodent burial helps growth. Eliminate.

Answer: A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 06:16
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

The hypothesis is that rats bury seeds not only as a store of food but also to promote new plant growth.

Option A supports this as it states that rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. Of course new plant growth would happen in areas where they do not exist previously.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 06:19
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Option (A) states that rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas with low plant density than in areas with abundant vegetation. This supports the idea that the rodents are not just storing food but are also intentionally encouraging plant growth in areas where it's lacking. By promoting vegetation near their homes, they could be ensuring a better future food supply. This behavior aligns directly with the hypothesis that seed-burying helps rodents support future access to food through new plant growth.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 06:21
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. Correct . They do so with the hope that the plants have a better chance to grow
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. This in fact negates the hypothesis by showcasing a cause for disapproving it
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. Like B this undermines the hypothesis
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. This also weakens the hypothesis
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Irrelevant to the hypothesis postulated
ANS A
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 06:51
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
Relevant as this supports the idea that rodents are intentionally promoting plant growth. They choose low density areas, where new plants are more likely to take root aligning it with the hypothesis.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Irrelevant as it just shows that other animals eat seeds, but says nothing about promoting plant growth

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
Irrelevant as it weakens the idea that the behavior helps plants grow, because it implies seeds won’t sprout if buried too deep

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Irrelevant as its unclear whether they are doing it to store food or to promote growth. Also there is the fact that low rainfall might prevent seed germination

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
Irrelevant as it doesn’t confirm roadent behavior is for plant promotion. It just tells us that rodents aren't the only dispersers

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:01
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Option A is the correct answer.

First let's understand the information mentioned in the passage before we dive into the options.

So the question starts by telling us that certain rodents bury seeds in shallow shallow underground caches even if they have plenty of food available to them, and they rarely recover all the seeds which they store. Now it tells us that based on this behavior of rodents the researchers have hypothesize that seed burying functions not only as food storing but also a way to promote new plant growth around the area where they live, thereby boosting the food supply for future.
Now the question asks us which of the following option if true support/strength the researcher's hypothesis.

Now let's check the options and see which one of them give us the desired result.

Option A: "Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation". This option tells us that Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in the areas where plant density is lower than the areas in with abundant vegetation which means that if the place where they live there are two areas first with abundant of vegetation and second with low density of vegetation then the Rodents will bury the seeds in the second area leading to the growth of new plants and vegetation. So this option strengths the hypothesis reached by the researchers because they also are hypothesis that they are buying the seeds not only for food storage but also for new plant growth for future food supply. But before jumping the gun and marking this as the answer let's check other options as well. Selected

Option B: "Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals". This option tells us that the reason why Rodents were unable to recover all the seeds they bury is due to some other animals digging and eating those seeds, which actually weakens the reacher's hypothesis which concludes that the seed storing behavior is for new plant growth for future food supply. Eliminated

Option C: "Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate". The depth of caches in which seeds are buried is not our concern as well as it does not answer the question why Rodents are unable to find most of the seeds which they bury because even if the seeds are buried in deep caches which prevent their germination, Rodents should be available to recover those seeds when needed. Eliminated

Option D: "Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce". This option is irrelevant to the hypothesis reached by the researchers, because as per the passage no information is mentioned whether in reaching the hypothesis they have considered the weather pattern and rainfall scarcity or not and the passage does not tells us whether researcher's hypothesis is for a specific period of time or condition. Eliminated

Option E: "In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects". This options is also irrelevant because we are concerned about the areas where Rodents reside/live and this option speaks about the areas where Rodents live or the areas around Rodents home. Eliminated

Now after reading and analyzing all the options we can conclude that only Option A gives us the desired answer.

Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:02
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. --> strengthens the theory: if rodents buried seeds everywhere, then perhaps this is just a peculiar habit that has no advantage or genuine function within their life cycles; however, since they actively are more likely to bury seeds in low density plant environments, then that further supports the notion that this behavioral function's intention is to promote new plant growth and boost future food supply.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. [OUT OF SCOPE]
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. [weakens; if seeds are too deep to germinate, then the theory is certainly wrong.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. [ weakens, planting when rainfall is scarce would reasonably minimize plant growth.]
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. [Out of Scope]




Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:24
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Option A is the only relevant option.
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:26
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Seed burying => to promote plant growth => nearby rodent areas for future food supply

we need argument that support this hypothesis

A) rodents are likely to bury nearby their home areas, plant density is not their concern
B) extra information
C) weakens the hypothesis
D) this may serve for them as a warning to secure future food supply (supports)
E) this tells us that rodent might be reason behind seed dispersal where they are present (not strongly supports)
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:31
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Argument:
Rodents bury seed and dont recover all they store.
Researcher: Not only as food storage but to promote plant growth around their homes so food supply in future is enured.

Prethinking:
We need to find that will help us with the hypothesis explanation. Maybe they grow in certain seasons when tney can germinate, Or maybe only in areas which are fertile.

Answers:

A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.(This seems about right, if they do this means when plant density is low they burry seeds to promote growth, They dont do this when vegetation is there so they assume since vegetation is there they can have abundant food in future as well.)
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. (this has nothing to do with the argument)
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. (Maybe but we are more concerned on proving why they do that not how)
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. (When rainfall is scarce vegetation is assumed to be low hence their reason of burry can be food storage and not seed germination)
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.(this has no effect on the reason why they store it. If this would be the case then hypothesis is proven incorrect because their storing grains will lead towards food storage than germination)

Answer A
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:35
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I was able to eliminate B C and E but got confused between A and D initially.

B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals - this talks about the seeds occasionally dug up but has no link to the motive of rodents behind buring the seeds. It is irrelevant to strengthening the link between burying seeds > to promote plant growth, not just for food storage.

C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate - we are not concerned with seeds buried in deep caches. Argument only mentions about shallow underground caches..so seeds in deep caches is not relevant to the argument

E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects - this is again irrelevant to the argument. Argument is talking about areas where rodents bury seeds, we don't care what happens where rodents are absent altogether.


between A and D now:
D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
At first I thought this somehow strengthens the argument because it could imply that areas where rainfall is scarce> means plant growth is scarce> rodents bury seeds to promote plant growth
But for this to work I realised assumptions need to be further made. I am assuming that future rainfall will help in plant growth in the future.
But based on facts, low rainfall means the land is dry and there will hardly be any plant growth even if you bury seeds. Instead what this statement suggests is the opposite, rodents are securing food for when times get tough(rainfall gets scarce). So this is more towards food storage than plant growth. More of a weakener than a strenghthener.


A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

Initially eliminated this because I thought this contradicts the passage that says rodents bury seeds even when food is plentiful, while this statement is saying rodents are burying less where there is abundant food. But I think I focused too much on the "abundant" part and missed out on the "plant density is low" part- this statement directly links the cause of burying seeds with promotion of plant growth. As for abundant growth, the passage perhaps uses the words "food is plentiful" to make the point that food storage is not the only cause.

This statement is the only one which strengthens the causal link of buring seeds with plant growth. So I chose A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:42
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
Supports the hypothesis. If rodents bury seeds where plants are scarce, this suggests they're strategically improving future food supply by planting in barren areas. CORRECT

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Irrelevant. It describes seed loss to competitors but doesn't address whether rodents bury seeds to promote growth.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
Weakens the hypothesis. If rodents buried seeds too deep for growth, it suggests they don't care about germination.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
It could support food storage, saving for droughts, but doesn't address plant growth.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
It discusses alternative seed dispersal methods but doesn't support rodents' intentional cultivation.

IMO A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:43
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(A) - This supports the hypothesis, as this means they do it to boost their future food supply (consciously or instinctually). Eliminate.
(B) - This slightly weakens the hypothesis as it explains why they rarely recover all the seeds they store: other animals are eating them. Eliminate.
(C) - This is out of context for the passage, as it talks about deep caches, whereas the hypothesis is about shallow caches.
(D) - Does not support the hypothesis. Eliminate.
(E) - The hypothesis is about rodents, Eliminate.

Answer is Option A.
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 10 Jul 2025, 07:52
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
This suggests rodents intentionally bury seeds where plants are scarce, possibly to increase future plant growth in those areas. This aligns with the hypothesis.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
This doesn't directly support the hypothesis. It just says some seeds are lost to other animals, which doesn't relate to promoting plant growth.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
This contradicts the hypothesis because if seeds are buried too deep to grow, they can't promote plant growth.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
This could relate to food storage since scarcity might prompt more caching, but it doesn't directly support the idea of promoting plant growth.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
This contrasts seed dispersal methods but doesn't support the idea that rodents promote plant growth through their caching behavior.

Correct answer is A
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