The angiosperms, commonly referred to as the flowering plants, are the

Question

The angiosperms, commonly referred to as the flowering plants, are the dominant plants in most terrestrial ecosystems, but how they came to be so successful is considered one of the most profound mysteries in evolutionary biology. Hundreds of millions of years ago, ferns and conifers were the dominant plant species on Earth; then, about 150 Emillion years ago, angiosperms suddenly appeared, rapidly spread, and diversified to such an extent that they now comprise 90 percent of all living plant species. Charles Darwin called their proliferation an “abominable mystery,” fearful that this apparent sudden leap might challenge his theory of evolution. While the cause of their high diversity has been attributed largely to coevolution with pollinators and herbivores, their ability to outcompete the previously dominant ferns and conifers has been the subject of many hypotheses. Common among these is that the angiosperms alone developed leaves with smaller, more numerous stomata and more highly branching venation networks that enable higher rates of transpiration, photosynthesis, and growth. How angiosperms pack their leaves with smaller, more abundant stomata and more veins is unknown, but Kevin Simonin and Adam Roddy have shown that this ability is linked to simple biophysical constraints on cell size. Simonin and Roddy’s research provides strong evidence that the success and rapid spread of flowering plants around the world was the result of genome downsizing. Since the genome is located in the nucleus of the cell, a smaller genome allows a plant to build smaller cells. This in turn allows greater carbon dioxide uptake and carbon gain from photosynthesis, the process by which plants use light energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, and maximizes the productivity of the plant's photosynthetic process. The researchers say that genome downsizing happened only in the angiosperms and was “a necessary prerequisite for rapid growth rates among land plants.”    1 
 1. The author of the passage cites Darwin's sentiment toward the rapid emergence and proliferation of the angiosperms most likely in order to

A. emphasize the importance of the enigma of the plants' success.
B. explain the basis for Darwin's fear that his theory would be undermined.
C. illustrate an example that contradicts Darwin's theory. 
D. show that the evolution of flowering plants is inconsistent with Darwin's theory.
E. suggest that Darwin's fear that his theory would be challenged was unwarranted.

2 
 2. The primary purpose of the passage is to argue that

A. Darwin's theory of evolution cannot explain the rapid emergence and proliferation of flowering plants.
B. compare the prevalence of angiosperms to that of ferns and conifers.
C. discuss the reasons a wide variety of species evolved within the angiosperm group.
D. explain how flowering plants evolved smaller genomes.
E. remarkable efficiency and productivity of flowering plants.

Kaplan GRE Verbal Workbook 2018

Its_me_aka_ak · Answer

Question: 2.

The question asks about the primary purpose of the passage, which implies we have to choose an option which hints to most parts of the passage.

A. Darwin's theory of evolution cannot explain the rapid emergence and proliferation of flowering plants.
This is easily eliminated as the author just mentions Darwin, which is not to criticise.

B. compare the prevalence of angiosperms to that of ferns and conifers.
Again, it was just a part, and this comparison existed to establish the efficiency of angiosperms (as they prevailed very quickly and captured 90% eventually).

C. discusses the reasons a wide variety of species evolved within the angiosperm group.
Most people chose this. We do know the reasons some species evolved efficiently, but there is no reason WHY they evolved under the Angiosperm group. This does not exist.

D. Explain how flowering plants evolved smaller genomes. present evidence suggesting an explanation for the
Evolution is a mystery. Yes, they had it, and that is established via research, but we do not know how they evolved smaller genomes.

E. remarkable efficiency and productivity of flowering plants
CORRECT. This passage exists to tell us in many ways that they are basically the best. The way he mentions counterarguments makes it more clear, and if you read it again, you will feel the same.

Note - This is just my reasoning! which got me correct here.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The primary purpose of the passage is to argue that

Explanation

Predict an answer to a primary purpose question based on your understanding of the author's main thrust in writing. The purpose of this passage is to explain how recent research strongly suggests that the smaller genomes contributed to the rapid proliferation of flowering plants. Keep the author's factual, neutral tone in mind.  (E)  matches the prediction and is correct. The efficiency and productivity of flowering plants is mentioned in the next-to-last sentence as a result of the smaller cells that are needed to house a smaller genome.

(A)  can be eliminated because the passage goes on to give evidence for how the ability of flowering plants to outcompete other plants arose from their evolution in a manner consistent with Darwin's theory.

(B)  is a distortion of information in the passage. The current dominance of flowering plants over ferns and conifers is mentioned, but the text does not compare the different types of plants; the purpose of the passage is to explain how angiosperms became the dominant species.

(C)  is mentioned in the passage, but this is not the main idea. The reasons the flowering plants are so diverse are discussed in the fourth sentence, but it's the rapid emergence and proliferation of angiosperms that are important to the author, not their diversity.

(D)  is a distortion of information in the passage, which explains how a smaller genome promoted the angiosperms' success but not how the smaller genome came about.

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The author of the passage cites Darwin's sentiment toward the rapid emergence and proliferation of the angiosperms most likely in order to

Explanation

When asked for the author's reason for including a detail in the passage, consider the main idea of the passage and then decide how the detail contributes to the author's overall purpose. Here, the main idea is that new research is providing strong evidence that may resolve an important, long-standing question. Darwin's sentiment, that this question was an  “abominable mystery,”  and his concern that the answer might undermine his theory show how important he thought it was. This prediction matches  (A) , the correct answer.

(B)  is incorrect because Darwin's statement expresses his fear but does not explain the reasons behind it; the author does not explain how the rapid emergence of angiosperms might be construed as evidence against evolution.

(C)  is extreme; Darwin was worried that the angiosperms' rapid dominance was evidence against his theory, but the passage does not go on to confirm that fear.

(D)  is a 180, or opposite, choice. The passage goes on to explain how the evolution of one feature of flowering plants explainstheir rise in a manner consistent with Darwin's theory.

(E)  is not addressed in the passage; if anything, the author's careful explanation indicates that the question is an important one and Darwin's fears were warranted.

Answer: A

egmat · Answer

The passage introduces angiosperms' succ ess as "one of the most profound mysteries in evolutionary biology".  The author then mentions Darwin called it an  "abominable mystery"  because he was  "fearful that this apparent sudden leap might challenge his theory of evolution."

Why A is Correct: 
  Answer A: "emphasize the importance of the enigma of the plants' success"

The author cites Darwin's strong reaction ( "abominable mystery" ) to show readers j ust how significant and puzzling this phenomenon has been throughout scientific history. By invoking Darwin - the father of evolutionary theory - and his concern about this mystery, the author emphasizes that this isn't just any puzzle, but one that has perplexed even the greatest minds in biology.

Common Traps:

Choice B   : "explain the basis for Darwin's fear that his theory would be undermined"
- This is  incorrect  because the question asks why  the author  mentions Darwin's sentiment, not to explain Darwin's fear itself
- The author's purpose is to emphasize the mystery's importance, not to analyze Darwin's psychology

Choice D   : "show that the evolution of flowering plants is inconsistent with Darwin's theory"
- This is a  dangerous trap  because it misreads the passage
- The passage says Darwin  feared  it might challenge his theory, NOT that it actually did
-  Important:  The rest of the passage explains the mystery through evolutionary mechanisms, not against them

Key Takeaway: 
When asked about an author's purpose in citing someone, focus on  what the author is trying to accomplish  in their overall argument, not on explaining the cited person's thoughts themselves.

The angiosperms, commonly referred to as the flowering plants, are the

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The angiosperms, commonly referred to as the flowering plants, are the

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