The sloth bear, an insect-eating animal native to Nepal, exhibits only

Question

The sloth bear, an insect-eating animal native to Nepal, exhibits only one behavior that is truly distinct from that of other bear species: the females carry their cubs (at least part-time) until the cubs are about nine months old, even though the cubs can walk on their own at six months. Cub-carrying also occurs among some other myrmecophagous (ant-eating) mammals; therefore, one explanation is that cub-carrying is necessitated by myrmecophagy, since myrmecophagy entails a low metabolic rate and high energy expenditure in walking between food patches. However, although polar bears’ locomotion is similarly inefficient, polar bear cubs walk along with their mother.  Furthermore, the daily movements of sloth bears and American black bears—which are similar in size to sloth bears and have similar-sized home ranges—reveal similar travel rates and distances, suggesting that if black bear cubs are able to keep up with their mother, so too should sloth bear cubs.

An alternative explanation is defense from predation. Black bear cubs use trees for defense, whereas brown bears and polar bears, which regularly inhabit treeless environments, rely on aggression to protect their cubs. Like brown bears and polar bears (and unlike other myrmecophagous mammals, which are noted for their passivity), sloth bears are easily provoked to aggression. Sloth bears also have relatively large canine teeth, which appear to be more functional for fighting than for foraging. Like brown bears and polar bears, sloth bears may have evolved in an environment with few trees. They are especially attracted to food-rich grasslands; although few grasslands persist today on the Indian subcontinent, this type of habitat was once wide-spread there. Grasslands support high densities of tigers, which fight and sometimes kill sloth bears; sloth bears also coexist with and have been killed by tree-climbing leopards, and are often confronted and chased by  rhinoceroses and elephants , which can topple trees. Collectively these factors probably selected against tree-climbing as a defensive strategy for sloth bear cubs. Because sloth bears are smaller than brown and polar bears and are under greater threat from dangerous animals, they may have adopted the extra precaution of carrying their cubs. Although cub-carrying may also be adoptive for myrmecophagous foraging, the behavior of sloth bear cubs, which climb on their mother’s back at the first sign of danger, suggests that predation was a key stimulus.   1 
 C 
 VRC000630-01 
1. The author mentions rhinoceroses and elephants (lines 52-53) primarily in order to

(A) explain why sloth bears are not successful foragers in grassland habitats
(B) identify the predators that have had the most influence on the behavior of sloth bears
(C) suggest a possible reason that sloth bear cubs do not use tree-climbing as a defense
(D) provide examples of predators that were once widespread across the Indian subcontinent
(E) defend the assertion that sloth bears are under greater threat from dangerous animals than are other bear species

2 
 D 
 VRC000630-02 
2.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument in highlighted text?

(A) Cub-carrying behavior has been observed in many non-myrmecophagous mammals.
(B) Many of the largest myrmecophagous mammals do not typically exhibit cub-carrying behavior.
(C) Some sloth bears have home ranges that are smaller in size than the average home ranges of black bears.
(D) The locomotion of black bears is significantly more efficient than the locomotion of sloth bears.
(E) The habitat of black bears consists of terrain that is significantly more varied than that of the habitat of sloth bears.

3 
 A 
 VRC000630-03 
3.Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a way in which brown bears and sloth bears are similar?

(A) They tend to become aggressive when provoked.
(B) They live almost exclusively in treeless environments.
(C) They are preyed upon by animals that can climb or topple trees.
(D) They are inefficient in their locomotion.
(E) They have relatively large canine teeth.

4 
 B 
4.The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. trace the development of a particular behavioral characteristic of the sloth bear
B. explore possible explanations for a particular behavioral characteristic of the sloth bear
C. compare the defensive strategies of sloth bear cubs to the defensive strategies of cubs of other bear species
D. describe how certain behavioral characteristics of the sloth bear differ from those of other myrmecophagous mammals
E. provide an alternative to a generally accepted explanation of a particular behavioral characteristic of myrmecophagous mammals

5 
 D 
5. The author mentions which of the following as evidence for the view that cub-carrying behavior among sloth bears functions primarily as a defense from predation?

A. The relative passivity of sloth bears in comparison with other species of bears
B. The age at which sloth bear cubs can defend themselves from predators
C. The unsuitability of cub-carrying for myrmecophagous foraging
D. The behavior of sloth bear cubs when they first perceive danger
E. The inefficient locomotion of sloth bears and other myrmecophagous animals

ID 00630

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

In the highlighted text, the author concluldes that "if black bear cubs are able to keep up with their mother, so too should sloth bear cubs."

The evidence to  support  this conclusion is that "the daily movements of sloth bears and American black bears—which are similar in size to sloth bears and have similar-sized home ranges—reveal similar travel rates and distances."

Our job in answering Q2 is to weaken the author's argument. One  possible  way to do this would be to discuss how the habitats of the bears are different, but that is not the  only  way to weaken the argument. As long as the answer choice weakens the author's conclusion, it is the correct answer.

Take another look at (D):
 
(D) suggests that black bears are just  better at walking  than sloth bears. It provides a reason for black bear cubs to be able to keep up with their mothers, while sloth bear cubs may not be able to do so.

(D) weakens the author's argument that sloth bears should be able to keep up with their mothers if black bear cubs can do so. (D) is looking good.

Compare that with (E):
 
We know that black bear cubs can keep up with their mothers, and (E) tells us that they do so in terrain that is "significantly more varied" than the terrain in which sloth bears live.

The question is, does varied terrain make it  easier  or  harder  for black bears to keep up with their moms? If anything, more varied terrain would tend to make locomotion  more difficult  than less varied terrain. So, if black bear cubs can keep up even in this difficult terrain, sloth bear cubs should DEFINITELY be able to keep up in easier terrain. This actually  supports  the author's argument.

Even if we don't assume that more varied terrain makes locomotion more difficult, we certainly can't infer the opposite -- that black bears are somehow assisted in keeping up by moving through more varied terrain. Because (E) doesn't provide an explanation for sloth bear cubs failing to keep up while black bear cubs do keep up, (E) is not the answer.

I hope that helps!

gurpreet07 · Answer

for Q12, the paragraph says that "whereas brown bears
 (30) and polar bears, which regularly inhabit
treeless environments" not sloth bears and the correct answer lies in this line "Like brown
 bears and polar bears (and unlike other
myrmecophagous mammals, which are
 (35) noted for their passivity), sloth bears
are easily provoked to aggression."

I would suggest read the passage carefully

Skywalker18 · Answer

Key Takeaways from the passage
-The author talks about a behavior of sloth bears that is different from the behavior of most other types of bears
- The author then provides possible explanations for that behavior

1. The primary purpose of the passage…
The key takeaways clearly suggest that option (B) is the right answer choice

2. The author mentions..
“rhinoceroses and elephants, which can topple trees. Collectively these factors probably selected against tree-climbing as a defensive strategy for sloth bear cubs"
Option (C ) is the right answer choice as it is a clear word justification for the above.

3. Which of the following…
“However, although polar bears’ locomotion is similarly inefficient, polar bear cubs walk along with their mother. Furthermore, the daily movements of sloth bears and American black bears—which are similar in size to sloth bears and have similar-sized home ranges—reveal similar travel rates and distances, suggesting that if black bear cubs are able to keep up with their mother, so too should sloth bear cubs.

The author’s argument would be most weakened if black bears were more efficient in their locomotion.
Hence option (D) is the best answer choice.

4. Which of the following…
“Like brown bears and polar bears (and unlike other myrmecophagous mammals, which are noted for their passivity), sloth bears are easily provoked to aggression"
Option (A) is a clear word justification of the above and is hence correct

Will2020 · Answer

Official Explanation - Question 2

Supporting idea

This question depends on recognizing what the passage states explicitly about brown bears in relation to sloth bears. In the second paragraph, the author states directly that brown bears, polar bears, and sloth bears are easily provoked to aggression.

A Correct. That both brown bears and sloth bears are easily provoked to aggression is stated directly in the passage.
B The author notes early in the second paragraph that brown bears and polar bears inhabit treeless environments, but mentions later that sloth bears coexist with animals that climb trees. The author also states that brown bears and sloth bears may both have evolved in treeless environments, but this fact does not indicate that these animals currently live in treeless environments.
C The author states that brown bears live in treeless environments; thus it is unlikely that brown bears, unlike sloth bears, are preyed upon by animals that climb or topple trees.
D The passage does not refer to the efficiency of brown bears’ locomotion.
E While it may be inferred from the passage that brown bears have large canine teeth, this is not mentioned in the passage.

The correct answer is A.

dcummins · Answer

Passage Map:
p1: Authors states how sloth bears differ from other bears, specifically with regards to cub carrying
p2: Serves to explain this differing characteristic

Sumi1010 · Answer

Can someone help me to understand why D is better than E in
  2.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument in highlighted text?

The similarities in habitats of Black bear and Sloth bear make the expectation that Sloth bear should also keep up with their mothers. So, to weaken it - the correct ans should say that the habitats of the BB and SB are not similar. E says it- the habitats of BB are more "varied".

D is the similarity in locomotion of Sloth bear and Black bear, but I had to reject it because : 
1) Passage mentions about Polar Bear and not Black Bear  "However, although polar bears’ locomotion is similarly inefficient, polar bear cubs walk along with their mother.." 
2) This part of the passage is NOT highlighted (as asked in the question).

GMATNinja

agar123 · Answer

Hi,

Can someone help with this:

VRC000630-02
2.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument in highlighted text?

(A) Cub-carrying behavior has been observed in many non-myrmecophagous mammals.
(B) Many of the largest myrmecophagous mammals do not typically exhibit cub-carrying behavior.
(C) Some sloth bears have home ranges that are smaller in size than the average home ranges of black bears.
(D) The locomotion of black bears is significantly more efficient than the locomotion of sloth bears.
(E) The habitat of black bears consists of terrain that is significantly more varied than that of the habitat of sloth bears.

I still think that the answer should be E, as the locomotion has been mentioned for the polar bear and not for the black bear.

Thanks

Harsh2111s · Answer

agar123 · Answer

Thanks. Got it. In E terrain is more varied cannot weaken the claim as how it is varied we don't know. At the same time, in D if Black Bears are more efficient than the locomotion of sloth bears then it will definitely weaken the author's argument.

ballest127 · Answer

Hi Experts,

Could you please provide explanation on Q5?

I cannot locate where in the passage states about this OA.

Thank you.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi

The answer to this question clearly lies in the second paragraph of the passage as this is the one dealing with defense against predators. Let us look at the options:

A. The relative passivity of sloth bears in comparison with other species of bears  We know this is not the case since the 2nd paragraph states, "Like brown bears and polar bears...sloth bears are easily provoked to aggression". Eliminate.

B. The age at which sloth bear cubs can defend themselves from predators  There is nothing in the 2nd paragraph about the age at which the cubs can defend themselves. Eliminate.

C. The unsuitability of cub-carrying for myrmecophagous foraging  We know this is not the case since the 1st paragraph states, "...cub-carrying is necessitated by myrmecophagy, since myrmecophagy entails a low metabolic rate and high energy expenditure in walking between food patches." Eliminate.

D. The behavior of sloth bear cubs when they first perceive danger  Correct. The 2nd paragraph states, "...the behavior of sloth bear cubs, which climb on their mother’s back at the first sign of danger, suggests that predation was a key stimulus".

E. The inefficient locomotion of sloth bears and other myrmecophagous animals  This does not pertain to defense against predation and acts as a weakener for cub-carrying. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

nikitamaheshwari · Answer

GMATNinja

4.The primary purpose of the passage is to

A. trace the development of a particular behavioral characteristic of the sloth bear
B. explore possible explanations for a particular behavioral characteristic of the sloth bear

Why is the answer choice A incorrect here? 
In ans B, the author is giving one explanation for the development of the trait -predation. He has not explored many explanations

bM22 · Answer

Hi  nikitamaheshwari ,

While you wait for the expert reply, let me know if this helps.

Author explores two possible explanations. One is mentioned in the 1st para as : "one explanation is that cub-carrying is necessitated by myrmecophagy, ......" and other explanation in the 2nd para as: "An alternative explanation is defense from predation. Black bear cubs use trees for defense, whereas brown bears and polar bears, which regularly inhabit treeless environments,.....".

Author is not tracing the development of a particular behavioral characteristic of the sloth bear, he/she is exploring as to why the females carry their cubs (at least part-time) until the cubs are about nine months old, even though the cubs can walk on their own at six months.

Thus B is the correct answer.

Hope This Helps.
Thanks.

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 4 + passage breakdown 
 
To answer primary purpose questions, first break down the passage as a whole. Why did the author write each paragraph?

In the first paragraph, the author:

Introduces a trait: cub-carrying 
 Provides one possible explanation for this trait: saving energy 
 Dismisses this explanation: similar bears don't carry their cubs.

In the second paragraph, the author:

Provides an alternate explanation: defense from predation 
 Explains and supports this explanation in detail

So, overall, why did the author write the passage? To investigate why sloth bears carry their cubs.

Now, let's see how the answer choices line up with this analysis:
 
Hmm. To "trace the development" of something is to explain  how it evolved other time . The author doesn't really care about how cub-carrying evolved -- instead, he/she cares about why sloth bears carry their cubs  now . Sure, the author mentions some historical facts (there used to be grasslands, etc), but the point of including those facts is to support the "alternate explanation" for why sloth bears CURRENTLY carry their cubs. So, while (A) is somewhat present in the passage, the author's  primary purpose  isn't to explore the development of cub carrying.

(A) is out.

Here's (B):
 
You're right that the author focuses primarily on the defense from predation explanation, but he/she actually does explore another possible explanation: saving energy. So (B) is right in line with our analysis -- the author's primary purpose is to investigate why sloth bears carry their cubs. In doing so, he/she discusses two possible explanations.

(B) is the correct answer to question 4.

I hope that helps!

Vashisht01 · Answer

Hi ,
Please provide explanation of Question 1

egmat · Answer

The author's argument:
 The passage is explaining why sloth bear mothers carry their cubs instead of letting cubs climb trees for safety (like black bear cubs do).

The rhino/elephant mention:
 Lines 52-56: The author lists dangers sloth bears face:
 
 Leopards (that climb trees) 
 Rhinoceroses and elephants (which can topple trees)  
Line 56-57: "Collectively these factors probably selected against tree-climbing as a defensive strategy"

Why (C) is correct:
 The author mentions rhinos and elephants because they destroy trees by toppling them.
This is evidence for why tree-climbing wouldn't work as a defense for sloth bear cubs. If the trees can just be knocked down, then cubs need a different strategy (being carried by mom instead).

The logic: If rhinos and elephants knock down trees, then trees aren't a safe hiding spot, so cubs can't use trees for defense. That's exactly what (C) says.

Vashisht01 · Answer

Thank you for very nice explanation

The sloth bear, an insect-eating animal native to Nepal, exhibits only

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The sloth bear, an insect-eating animal native to Nepal, exhibits only

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