Insect behavior generally appears to be explicable in terms of unconsc

Why in Q5, option E was the answer but there was no argument in this regard during the passage? Should be A

In Q2, I was confused between options A, D, and E. I was able to eliminate D as the wasp was following the same pattern: bringing the grasshopper back to the burrow, inspecting, and then depositing it in the burrow. In between A and E, I went for option A as I thought that the wasp did not bring it to burrow and broke the pattern. But after analyzing it again, I realized that the wasp fails to deposit the grasshopper in the burrow. It tried to bring grasshopper but failed for some reason so the wasp was following the same pattern.

Option E, when the grasshopper was replaced by a mantis, it was a change in the whole pattern as one aspect has been changed. So the wasp should not have brought that mantis to burrow so this option works as a weakener.

Let me know if my reasoning is not right for this question.

Passage type - P1 Generalization view - P2 specific case explained with the help of example.

Main point of the passage - to explain the Generalized way of behavior among insects. Illustrating with an example of a female sphex wasp
Reference - P1 Line 1
Insect behavior generally appears to be explicable in terms of unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanisms.

Total time taken 9-10 minutes - read passage + solve 5 questions - 5 out of 7 answered correctly

1. The author mentions the work of Darwin and Fabre in order to

A. provide experimental evidence of the inflexibility of one kind of insect behavior

reference - As thoughtful as this behavior appears, it reveals its mechanistic character upon interference.

Darwin discovered that prior removal of the grasshopper's antennae prevents the wasp from depositing the grasshopper, even though the legs or ovipositor could also serve as handles. Likewise, Fabre moved the grasshopper a few centimeters away from the burrow's mouth while the wasp was inside inspecting


2. Which of the following hypothetical variations in the experiments described in the passage would most weaken the primary claim of the passage? - Any situation in which the experiment subject will change behavior , when provided an alternative

A - is close but E is the answer - I got this answer wrong
E. Fabre replaces the grasshopper with a paralyzed praying mantis, a rather different insect that the wasp inspects and then deposits in the burrow.

3. The passage supports which of the following statements about insect behavior?

E. More than one species of insect displays inflexible, routine behaviors.

Insect behavior generally appears to be explicable in terms of unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanisms

4. Based on the passage, which of the following would prove a similar point to that promoted by the author?

I. In a similar experiment, the paralyzed grasshopper was replaced with another, equally nutritive insect, and the wasp did not drag it into the burrow. - CORRECT ( Unconscious / inflexible )
II. In a similar experiment with a bird, the bird was shown to act in the exact same manner as the wasp. BIRD IS NOT INSECT - OUT OF SCOPE
III. In a similar experiment with a different wasp, the wasp dragged the grasshopper into the burrow by its ovipositor. WASP USES ANTENNA

A. I only
B. I and II
C. II only
D. II and III
E. I, II and III

answer - A

5. The primary purpose of the passage is to:

(E) argue that insect behavior relies on rigid routines which appear to be unconscious

I got this answer wrong as could not find any argue kind of tone in the passage.

6. The second paragraph performs which of the following functions in the passage?

(A) It provides experimental evidence of the inflexibility of one kind of insect behavior. correct
(B) It contradicts the conventional wisdom about "typical" wasp behavior. No contradiction
(C) It illustrates the strength of the wasp's maternal affection. Out of scope
(D) It explores the logical implications of the thesis articulated in. the first paragraph. Out of scope
(E) It highlights historical changes in the conduct of scientific research. Out of scope

7. The passage mentions the grasshopper's ovipositor in the second paragraph in order to

(A) shed light on an anatomical peculiarity of grasshoppers Out of scope
(B) illustrate the wasp's inability to avail itself of alternative methods Correct
(C) provide a scientific synonym for the word "leg" Out of scope
(D) invoke Darwin's theory of functional evolution Out of scope
(E) concede that a grasshopper becomes more difficult to move when its antennae
are removed Out of scope

Can someone post Q2 answers? Was confused between option choice D and E

GMATNinja

2. Which of the following hypothetical variations in the experiments described in the passage would most weaken the primary claim of the passage?

The main point of the passage is that the Insect behavior can be explained in terms of unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanisms. For WEAKEN, it has to be shown that the particular insect behavior can be interpreted as a well thought, conscious and flexible mechanism.

A. Darwin removes the ovipositor, a small appendage, instead of the antennae; the wasp fails to deposit the grasshopper in the burrow.
The physical incapacitation may have led to the behavioral variation. Hence, change in environmental set-up will nullify the deductions, if any. Therefore, irrelevant.

B. Darwin restrains the grasshopper while the wasp attempts to drag it by its antennae, which subsequently break off; although Darwin then releases the grasshopper, the wasp ignores it.
Non-deposition of grasshopper (without antennae) clearly highlights an unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanism

C. Fabre moves the grasshopper several meters away during the wasp's inspection; the wasp takes significant time to retrieve the grasshopper, then re-inspects the burrow.
Retrieval of grasshopper prior to inspection again depicts an unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanism

D. Fabre repeatedly varies the exact position near the burrow to which he moves the grasshopper, causing the wasp to adjust its retrieval path slightly before re-inspecting the burrow.
same as option (C) with minor variation -- Retrieval of grasshopper prior to inspection again depicts an unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanism

E. Fabre replaces the grasshopper with a paralyzed praying mantis, a rather different insect that the wasp inspects and then deposits in the burrow
Since a careful inspection of paralyzed praying mantis prior to deposition in the burrow depicts a a well thought, conscious and flexible mechanism (a variation to the earlier behaviour), it is the CORRECT option

The correct option is (E)

1. The author mentions the work of Darwin and Fabre in order to

A. provide experimental evidence of the inflexibility of one kind of insect behavior
post highlighting the major facets of the unconscious, inflexible insect behaviour, the author wishes to support his argument through experimental evidence; therefore, he mentions the work of Darwin and Fabre

B. contradict the conventional wisdom about “typical” wasp behavior
no conventional explanation regarding the wasp behaviour has been mentioned in the passage

C. illustrate the strength of the wasp's maternal affection
out of scope prompt. totally out of sync with the main idea of the passage

D. explore the logical implications of the thesis articulated earlier
logical implications can't be derived through examples

E. highlight historical changes in the conduction of scientific research
scientific experiments highlight similar argument as described in the 1st paragraph. No changes evident though the works of Darwin and Fabre.


The correct option is (A)

If it is possible please post offical explanation of each answers,it gives much better explanation and clear picture of passage.Thanks

Posted from my mobile device

3. The passage supports which of the following statements about insect behavior?

A. Reptiles such as snakes behave more flexibly than do insects.
No mention / comparison highlighted regarding behavior of insects vis-a-vis that of the reptile. Hence, Irrelevant.

B. Insects such as honeybees can always be expected to behave inflexibly.
Again, can't be commented upon with conviction. Also, 'always' -- an extreme view

C. Many species of insects leave eggs alongside living but paralyzed food sources.
No such facts presented in the passage

D. Stimulus-response mechanisms in insects have evolved because, under ordinary circumstances, they help insects to survive.
Cause & Effect (as highlighted in this prompt) not supported in the passage

E. More than one species of insect displays inflexible, routine behaviors.
Paragraph 1 highlights that 'Insect behavior generally appears to be explicable in terms of unconscious, inflexible stimulus-response mechanisms' --Use of the word generally lends credence to the thought that 'More than one species of insect displays inflexible, routine behaviors'.


The correct option is (E)

4. Based on the passage, which of the following would prove a similar point to that promoted by the author?

The essence of the author's point revolves around the idea that insects, in general, depict an unconscious, inflexible behaviour. He drives this idea through the example of wasp dragging a paralyzed grasshopper in a characteristic manner. Any deviation / difference in stimulus -- action is not performed by the insect. ie, the wasp.

I. In a similar experiment, the paralyzed grasshopper was replaced with another, equally nutritive insect, and the wasp did not drag it into the burrow.
change in stimulus ie, the the paralyzed grasshopper was replaced with another, equally nutritive insect ; hence, the wasp didn't perform the action --in line with the author's message

II. In a similar experiment with a bird, the bird was shown to act in the exact same manner as the wasp.
the author's argument pertains to the insects, not applicable for the birds !!

III. In a similar experiment with a different wasp, the wasp dragged the grasshopper into the burrow by its ovipositor.
use of ovipositor to drag the paralyzed grasshopper -- different action vis-a-vis the original action. Hence, it goes against the author's point.

A. I only
B. I and II
C. II only
D. II and III
E. I, II and III



The correct option is (A)

5. The primary purpose of the passage is to:

(A) prove, based on examples, that insects lack consciousness
examples highlight that insects, in general. display an inflexible behavior unconsciously

(B) argue that insects are unique in their dependence on rigid routines
'uniqueness' is not the the main point presented by the author

(C) analyze the maternal behavior of wasps
Out of scope stimulus

(D) compare and contrast the work of Darwin and Fabre
works of 'Darwin' and 'Fabre' show similar deductions !!

(E) argue that insect behavior relies on rigid routines which appear to be unconscious
as highlighted above, the examples highlight that insects, in general. display an inflexible behavior unconsciously; hence, the correct answer



The correct answer is (E)