workout1.The author suggests that the work of Fisher and Hamilton was similar in that both scientists
(A) conducted their research at approximately the same timeCrossed out.
We only have one specific year - 1930, and nothing else.
Moreover, this statement, 'Since Fisher’s time, it has been realized that genes can sometimes...', implies that some time has passed between the discussion offered in the second paragraph and the explanation offered by Fisher (in the first paragraph).
(B) sought to manipulate the sex ratios of some of the animals they studiedCrossed out.
New information.
Nothing of the sort is mentioned in the passage.
(C) sought an explanation of why certain sex ratios exist and remain stableYES
And that's what the passage is all about - a discussion of the evolution of sex ratios, and the explanations of two people in particular.
(D) studied game theory, thereby providing important groundwork for the later development of strategy theoryCrossed out.
New information.
(and game theory itself isn't even the primary focus of the passage)
(E) studied reproduction in the same animal speciesCrossed out.
New information.
Nothing of the sort is mentioned in the passage.
*****
It can be inferred from the passage that the mathematical theory of games has been
(A) developed by scientists with an interest in geneticsCrossed out.
New information.
Nothing of the sort is mentioned in the passage.
(B) adopted by Hamilton in his researchCrossed out.
Bait choice.
It's mentioned that "he went a step further in recognizing that he was looking for a strategy", but looking for a strategy DOES NOT NECESSARILY mean that "the mathematical theory of games has been adopted by Hamilton in his research".
Strategies are a part of Game Theory, not GT itself.
The choice is trying to create that information in your head (and thus tricking you into choosing it) when the actual, precise information is nowhere in the passage.
(C) helpful in explaining how genes can sometimes influence gametesCrossed out.
I see that this is the second most opted choice.
But it's wrong.
In the third sentence of the second paragraph, "But more immediately relevant to game theory..." implies that the idea that "genes can sometimes influence the chromosome or gamete" is also relevant to game theory.
"More immediately relevant" means that the theory can be more readily applied to the latter subject (large excess of females in parasitic wasps), and it means nothing more.
'Readiness of application' DOES NOT equal to the 'application' itself.
If activity X CAN be applied to stuff Z, and that's all what has been said, then then doesn't necessarily mean that activity X HAS been applied to stuff Z.
By choosing C, you're saying that 'the mathematical theory of games has been helpful in explaining how genes can sometimes influence gametes'. That implies APPLICATION. But only the 'readiness of application' is stated in the passage, not the (information about) any application itself!
(D) based on animals studies conducted prior to 1930Crossed out.
New information.
Nothing of the sort is mentioned in the passage.
(Even contradicts the given information - Fisher's explanation was given in 1930, "before the mathematical theory of games had been developed")
(E) useful in explaining some biological phenomenaYES
You could either get here by reduction, or by pushing more analysis into the choices.
From all that's been said in the passage, this is the ONLY choice that fits.
We can safely say that "the mathematical theory of games has been useful in explaining some biological phenomena".
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