The food of hummingbirds has been a matter of much controversy. All

Question

Adapted from “Humming-Birds: As Illustrating the Luxuriance of Tropical Nature” in Tropical Nature, and Other Essays by Alfred Russel Wallace (1878)

The food of hummingbirds has been a matter of much controversy. All the early writers down to Buffon believed that they lived solely on the nectar of flowers, but since that time, every close observer of their habits maintains that they feed largely, and in some cases wholly, on insects. Azara observed them on the La Plata in winter taking insects out of the webs of spiders at a time and place where there were no flowers. Bullock, in Mexico, declares that he saw them catch small butterflies, and that he found many kinds of insects in their stomachs. Waterton made a similar statement. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of specimens have since been dissected by collecting naturalists, and in almost every instance their stomachs have been found full of insects,  sometimes, but not generally , mixed with a proportion of honey.  Many of them in fact may be seen catching gnats and other small insects just like fly-catchers, sitting on a dead twig over water, darting off for a time in the air, and then returning to the twig.  Others come out just at dusk, and remain on the wing, now stationary, now darting about with the greatest rapidity, imitating in a limited space the evolutions of the goatsuckers, and evidently for the same end and purpose. Mr. Gosse also remarks,” All the hummingbirds have more or less the habit, when in flight, of pausing in the air and throwing the body and tail into rapid and odd contortions. This is most observable in the Polytmus, from the effect that such motions have on the long feathers of the tail. That the object of these quick turns is the capture of insects, I am sure, having watched one thus engaged pretty close to me.”    1 
 1. The purpose of this passage is __________.

A. to explain why one should feed a captive hummingbird insects and not flower nectar
B. to critique the opinions of other scientists
C. to discuss the Polytmus’ feeding habits
D. to propose a definitive experiment about what hummingbirds eat
E. to consider the opinions of scientists on what hummingbirds eat

2 
 2. What do Azara, Bullock, and Waterton have in common?

A. They are all scientists who think hummingbirds eat insects.
B. They are all types of hummingbirds.
C. They are all types of birds that eat insects.
D. They are all critics of the writer and disagree with his theory.
E. They are all scientists who think hummingbirds eat flower nectar.

3 
 3. Which of the following does the author contrast in this passage?

A. The results of feeding a hummingbird insects and the results of feeding a hummingbird flower nectar
B. Hummingbirds that eat flower nectar and hummingbirds that eat insects
C. Hummingbirds with long tails and hummingbirds with short tails
D. The beliefs of historical scientists and the beliefs of scientists of the author’s time
E. The author’s opinion about what hummingbirds eat and Mr. Gosse’s opinion about what hummingbirds eat

4 
 4. Based on what is said in the passage, the author most likely believes that __________.

A. hummingbirds eat neither flower nectar nor insects
B. None of the other answers
C. hummingbirds eat a mixture of flower nectar and insects, but mostly insects
D. hummingbirds eat a mixture of flower nectar and insects, but mostly flower nectar
E. hummingbirds eat only flower nectar

5 
 5. What evidence does Mr. Gosse have to support the claim that hummingbirds eat insects?

A. He read in a reputable scientific journal that they eat insects.
B. He observed one flailing around in the air and concluded that it was eating insects.
C. He surmised that they must eat insects because he has never seen one eating flower nectar.
D. He examined the contents of a hummingbird’s stomach and found many insects in it.
E. A hummingbird got into his collection of live insects, and soon after, all of his insects were missing.

6 
 6. Based on the way the term is used in passage, what is “the Polytmus”?

A. A species of flower that often attracts hummingbirds
B. A type of carnivorous mammal that eats hummingbirds
C. A scientific term for a fledgling hummingbird that cannot yet fly
D. A type of hummingbird with a long tail
E. A type of hummingbird with particularly bright coloring

7 
 7. What can we infer from the author’s use of the  highlighted  phrase, “sometimes, but not generally”?

A. None of the other answers
B. Hummingbirds can be found with only honey in their stomachs quite often.
C. Hummingbirds can be found with honey in their stomachs, but it is not common.
D. Hummingbirds can be found with both honey and insects in their stomachs, and this is what scientists observe most often.
E. Hummingbirds can be found with insects in their stomachs, but this is rare.

8 
 8. How does the quotation from Mr. Gosse relate to the evidence provided by other scientists earlier in the passage?

A. It suggests that the earlier evidence applies not only to hummingbirds but to another type of bird as well.
B. It supports the same conclusions that the previous evidence supports.
C. It has nothing to do with the previous evidence.
D. It suggests that some of the previous evidence may be true, but some may be false.
E. It contradicts the previous evidence and supports a different hypothesis.

9 
 9. What can we infer from the  highlighted  sentence, “Many   in fact may be seen catching gnats and other small insects just like fly-catchers, sitting on a dead twig over water, darting off for a time in the air, and then returning to the twig"?

A. All hummingbirds live near bodies of water.
B. Some hummingbirds live near bodies of water.
C. All hummingbirds live in the desert.
D. Some hummingbirds live in the desert.
E. Gnats are rarely found near bodies of water.

10 
 10. Which of the following inferences does the passage expect its readers to make?

A. If a hummingbird eats gnats, it will not eat honey.
B. If a hummingbird consumes flower nectar, this nectar will turn into the honey that can be found in its stomach.
C. The author is the first scientist to ever have investigated what hummingbirds eat.
D. Scientists rarely learn about hummingbirds by dissecting them.
E. Fly-catchers are a type of insect.

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 177 Date: 05-Jun-2023
 This question is part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

Ruchi007 · Answer

Sajjad1994  Can you please give the explanation of question #2 & #4

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question #2

The passage mentions that the early writers believed hummingbirds lived solely on the nectar of flowers, but the subsequent observers, including Azara, Bullock, and Waterton, disagreed with this belief. They observed that hummingbirds feed largely on insects, sometimes mixed with a proportion of honey. Therefore, they are scientists who challenge the notion that hummingbirds primarily consume flower nectar, supporting the idea that hummingbirds eat insects.

Question #4

A. Hummingbirds eat neither flower nectar nor insects: This option contradicts the information in the passage, which clearly states that hummingbirds feed on insects.

B. None of the other answers: This option suggests that none of the given answer choices accurately represents the author's belief. However, based on the information provided, one of the answer choices does align with the author's perspective.

C. Hummingbirds eat a mixture of flower nectar and insects, but mostly insects: This option contradicts the information presented in the passage. While the passage acknowledges the presence of honey or flower nectar mixed with insects in the hummingbirds' stomachs, it emphasizes the prevalence of insects as their primary food source.

D. Hummingbirds eat a mixture of flower nectar and insects, but mostly flower nectar: This option aligns with the information presented in the passage. The passage states that early writers believed hummingbirds fed solely on the nectar of flowers, and while the author acknowledges the presence of insects in their diet, the emphasis is on the predominance of flower nectar.

E. Hummingbirds eat only flower nectar: This option contradicts the information presented in the passage. While the passage mentions that early writers believed in the exclusive consumption of flower nectar, it then provides evidence from observers and naturalists suggesting the inclusion of insects in hummingbirds' diet.

omniadmin · Answer

in question 4 it is also stated "but since that time, every close observer of their habits maintains that they feed largely, and in some cases wholly, on insects." in the paragraph which means they depend on the insects majorly . i think option c is better . could you enlighten me more on this point ?

Pooja3bhattrai · Answer

QUESTION 1: answer is option E. But, In passage there is no discussion about scientists

correct me if am wrong???

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The purpose of this passage is __________.

Difficulty Level:   550

Explanation

The passage begins by highlighting the controversy surrounding the food of hummingbirds. Early writers, including Buffon, believed that hummingbirds solely fed on the nectar of flowers. However, the author, Alfred Russel Wallace, states that close observers of hummingbird habits have since maintained that they feed largely, and in some cases wholly, on insects.

To support this claim, the passage presents the observations of various individuals. Azara observed hummingbirds taking insects out of spider webs in a location and season where there were no flowers. Bullock witnessed hummingbirds catching small butterflies and finding many kinds of insects in their stomachs. Waterton made a similar statement about the presence of insects in hummingbirds' stomachs. The passage also mentions that hundreds, and possibly thousands, of specimens have been dissected by collecting naturalists, and in almost every case, their stomachs were found to be full of insects, sometimes mixed with a proportion of honey.

Furthermore, the passage describes various behaviors of hummingbirds that suggest insect feeding. It mentions how hummingbirds can be seen catching gnats and small insects, imitating the hunting behavior of fly-catchers. Some hummingbirds are described as coming out at dusk, darting about and imitating the movements of goatsuckers (a family of nocturnal birds) to capture insects. The passage also quotes Mr. Gosse, who remarks on the habit of hummingbirds to pause in the air, throw their bodies and tails into rapid and odd contortions, which the author believes is for capturing insects.

Overall, the passage aims to present the opinions and observations of various scientists and naturalists regarding the feeding habits of hummingbirds, challenging the earlier belief that they solely rely on flower nectar and suggesting that they feed largely on insects.

Answer: E

ajbhutani96 · Answer

I think Q2 & Q4 have been wrongly marked in the passage.

Sajjad1994  whilst your explanation is correct, the answer selection does not align with the explanation itself.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Please refer to the explanation posted here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-food-of- ... l#p3212067 PS: I believe the OAs are not wrongly added, but they are a bit debatable.

assassinofkings98111 · Answer

Q2 & Q4 have been marked incorrectly. The explanations are correct, but the answer choices marked are incorrect

The food of hummingbirds has been a matter of much controversy. All

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The food of hummingbirds has been a matter of much controversy. All

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