1)
A. techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds
There is a lot of discussion of experiments, but notice, the results are discussed more than are the techniques.
B. reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals
Only that they "may be fundamentally different" is mentioned. There is no discussion of the reasons for any differences. This answer could trap someone who is just going with what sounds right. Mammals and birds are mentioned and reasons for differences in social learning among birds are mentioned. So as usual you have to be careful and really notice what is being said and what is not being said in order to get this question right.
C. question of how social learning manifests itself in birds
There is extensive discussion of this topic. Different kinds of birds and their particular types of social learning are discussed. In fact, the passage is mostly about a particular question, the question of whether birds can, like mammals, "can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning." While this answer choice does not say that exactly, it is the choice closest to what the passage is about.
D. basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals
The basis, some experiments, for the belief that mammals and birds learn different things from each other about food is discussed, but much more is going on.
E. possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular
way. This is only briefly discussed in the part about chickens.
The correct answer is C.
2)
A. Only a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food that was
demonstrated by other hens to be noxious. - Incorrect. It is not shown that even a small number of observer hens appeared to learn to avoid food.
B. Observer hens ingested food preferentially only after numerous instances of
witnessing demonstrator hens preferentially ingest that type of food. - Incorrect. Nothing like this is indicated in the passage.
C. Observer hens appeared unable to recognize when demonstrator hens found a
particular food especially palatable. - Incorrect. Again, nothing like this is indicated. In fact, the passage does not indicate any difficulty in recognition by observer hens.
D. Demonstrator hens reacted adversely to ingesting certain novel foods. - Correct. Refer to the following lines. Even when demonstrator hens reacted with obvious disgust to a specific food, via vigorous head shaking and bill wiping
E. Demonstrator hens altered their behavior less obviously in response to noxious
foods than in response to highly palatable foods. - Incorrect. Quite the contrary. It is shown that demonstrator hens nade their body language very clear when given noxious food.
Answer:
3)It can be inferred…
"Sherwin’s research team speculated that ecological or social constraints during the evolution of this species might have resulted in there being little benefit from the social learning of unpalatability "
AND
"These results confirmed that avian species can develop preferences for palatable food through social learning"
Option (E) clearly describes the above two excerpts and is therefore correct.
_________________

Thanks & Regards,
Anaira Mitch

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss the

(A) techniques used in certain experiments on social learning in birds - The author discusses the results of several experiments but is not primarily concerned with the techniques used in those experiments.
(B) reasons for the differences between social learning in birds and in mammals - The author states "that avian social learning may be fundamentally different from that of mammals" but does not get into the REASONS for the differences. The author discusses possible reasons for differences between hens and other birds, but even that would not represent the primary purpose of the passage.
(C) question of how social learning manifests itself in birds - How does social learning manifest itself in birds? The passage discusses several examples and experiments related to that question, so choice (C) looks good.
(D) basis for a widespread belief about a difference in behavior between birds and mammals - The author refers to some experiments highlighting the differences in behavior between birds and mammals, but there is no mention of a "widespread belief about a difference."
(E) possible reasons why birds may or may not learn from each other in a particular way. - Again, the author discusses possible reasons for the differences between hens and other birds, but that does not represent the primary purpose of the passage.

Choice (C) is the best answer.
_________________

www.gmatninja.com

It looks like GMAT put the WRONG answer for Q2, interesting mistake. :D
_________________

Insanity at its finest.

dave13, have you checked out this post?
_________________

www.gmatninja.com

carcass, can you add these questions?

Three more questions associated with this passage:

Q4. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the first paragraph of the passage?

A. It explains why a particular behavior discussed in the remainder of the passage is beneficial to the animals that engage in it.

B. It introduces a concept that has been widely misunderstood among nonscientists.

C. It outlines the types of studies that have been conducted to investigate a certain animal behavior.

D. It provides information necessary to understand the nature of the phenomenon discussed in the remainder of the passage.

E. It describes a viewpoint that is called into question later in the passage.

Answer:


Q5. According to the passage, Sherwin’s research team speculated that the social learning of unpalatability within a particular species might be discouraged if the animals

A. did not suffer serious effects from any noxious or toxic foods they ingested

B. consumed food in small quantities throughout the day rather than in a few large feedings

C. had an unusually large variety of foods available to them

D. interacted after feeding as well as during feeding

E. did not show signs of illness until considerable time had passed following the ingestion of noxious or toxic food

Answer:


Q6. The passage indicates that which of the following is true about studies of social learning in mammals?

A. Such studies have only rarely demonstrated a capacity among mammals to learn to prefer certain foods via observation of other animals.

B. Such studies have suggested that in mammals one function of social learning is to establish preferences for novel foods.

C. Such studies have demonstrated some capacity among mammals to learn via observation of other animals to avoid ingestion of toxic substances.

D. Such studies have been conducted primarily in the mammals’ natural habitats rather than in laboratory settings.

E. Such studies have focused primarily on forms of social learning other than the acquisition of preferences for novel foods.

Answer:

Hi NandishSS!


You are correct that the first paragraph here is introducing social learning. However, it does not explain why social learning is beneficial to avians. That comes later in the passage -- the first paragraph simply explains what social learning is. So we can't say that the primary purpose of the first paragraph is to explain why social learning is beneficial to avians, because that isn't mentioned until later. Instead, the first paragraph is providing necessary information for us to understand the rest of the passage (D).


The relevant part of the passage is here:

To answer this question, all we have to do is find which answer choice is mentioned here, which is A (bolded in the passage). We can eliminate B-E simply because they are not mentioned here at all.


Let's first look at the relevant part of the passage:

This is really the only part of the passage that talks about social learning among mammals. The rest of the passage is talking exclusively about birds. So we just have to pick the answer choice which matches this sentence, which is B (identifying beneficial food items = establishing preferences for certain foods). The passage doesn't talk at all about mammals avoiding toxic foods, only identifying beneficial foods. So C is not supported by the passage.

Does that make sense? I hope that helps!!
-Carolyn
_________________

Magoosh Test Prep