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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow

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09 Jul 2025, 09:55

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The hypothesis is that rodents bury seeds not just for food storage but also to help new plants grow near their homes, which would increase future food sources. The strongest support would come from evidence showing that seed burying actually promotes plant growth where rodents live. Option (A) says rodents bury seeds more in places with low plant density, implying they may be actively helping plants grow in sparse areas, which supports the idea that seed burying encourages new growth. The other options don’t directly link seed burying to promoting plant growth near the rodents’ homes as clearly. For example, (B) talks about other animals eating seeds, (C) discusses deep caches preventing germination, (D) relates seed burying to rainfall, and (E) just mentions seed dispersal without linking it to rodent behavior. Therefore, (A) most strongly supports the hypothesis.

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
Supports the hypothesis of promoting new plant growth. Correct.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Seeds eaten by other animals is irrelevant. Incorrect.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
This doesn't support the hypothesis. Incorrect.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Timing of planting has nothing to do with this. Incorrect.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
We are not concerned about other types of dispersals. Incorrect.

Bunuel

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The argument goes that burying seeds serves to encourage the growth of new plants around rodent habitats, thus increasing their future food supply.

Only the first statement supports the idea that rodents use this strategy, so Answer A.

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. Correct. Availability of food supply motivates the action of rodents.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. Irrelevant
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. This doesn't prove rodents want to grow plants.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. In scarce rainfall, plants will not grow.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Irrelevant

Ans A

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09 Jul 2025, 10:52

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. - Correct
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. - Other animals are irrelevant
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. - Position of the seed is irrelevant
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. - Rainfall is not mentioned
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. - out of scope

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09 Jul 2025, 11:04

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The hypothesis says:
Rodents bury seeds not just to store food, but also to help plants grow near their homes, which gives them more food later.

To support this idea, we want evidence that rodents actively help plants grow where plants are scarce.
Choice (A) shows rodents bury seeds more where plants are few, which supports the idea they promote plant growth.

Other choices:
(B) Some seeds eaten by others doesn’t support the growth idea.
(C) Seeds buried too deep don’t help plants grow (actually weakens the idea).
(D) More burying in dry years is unclear about plant growth.
(E) Seed dispersal by wind/insects in rodent-free areas doesn’t prove rodents help growth.

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Premise
Rodents stash seeds shallowly even when food's plenty, and don't dig 'em all back up.

Conclusion/Researcher Hypothesis
Burying seeds isn't just about food storage; it boosts plant growth around their crib, securing future snacks.

Implied Assumption
Those buried but unretrieved seeds sprout and grow, actually increasing plant density around the nest.

What's Being Asked
If this hypothesis holds, we should see "rodents making plants grow more around their crib by burying seeds," or "they bury seeds where plants are scarce to spruce up the place."

Option Simplified Analysis
A. Rodents prefer burying seeds in plant-sparse areas—Bingo: Their burying behavior has a "fix up the plant community" spatial choice, strongest support for the hypothesis.
B. Some buried seeds get dug up by other animals—Doesn't say if seeds sprout, not much to do with promoting plant growth.
C. Seeds buried too deep often don't sprout—Weakens the "burying promotes vegetation" function.
D. Rodents bury more seeds during drought years—More likely about "storing food" than "planting plants."
E. Seed dispersal in areas without rodents is mostly by wind, insects—Shows rodents are part of dispersal, but doesn't prove their "burying promotes survival" unique role.

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09 Jul 2025, 11:21

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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

Strengthen question

premise: they don't recover all the buried seeds to eat them

conclusion: the seed-burying functions is not only food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas = boosting their future food supply.

What would strenghten the argument:
Answer (A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. => this would make tha argument more likely as in the areas with low plant density there would be less food supply for the Rodents.
Answer (B) => this would weaken the argument > the seeds are eaten by other animals (reverse)
Answer (C)=> this would weaken the arguement => the seeds will never become plants or food
Answer (D) => this would also not strenghten the argument => less rain would imply that the seeds will not grow to become plants and produce any food.
Answer (E) => no tie to the argument.

Answer A

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09 Jul 2025, 11:27

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
Correct, give additional information that rodents bury seeds where density is low, means they want to promot plant growth
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Seed loss is not the concern
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
weaken as if they bury deep, then i will not grow
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
But not helping the plant growth
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
Not related to reasoning

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09 Jul 2025, 11:37

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
This observation provides strong inferential support for the hypothesis. If the primary or sole purpose of seed-burying were immediate food storage, the rodents would likely distribute caches based on accessibility, safety, or short-term retrieval efficiency, irrespective of surrounding plant density. However, a preferential selection of low-density areas for seed burial aligns directly with an adaptive strategy to "promote new plant growth."

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Highlights a common ecological phenomenon of seed predation or pilfering by interspecific competitors. While it addresses the efficiency (or inefficiency) of seed caching as a food storage mechanism, it offers no information regarding the potential for buried seeds to germinate and contribute to plant growth, nor does it provide insight into the rodents' intent or adaptive benefit related to plant propagation.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
Siscusses "deep caches," which may or may not be characteristic of the rodents' behavior.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Increased caching during periods of scarce rainfall could plausibly be interpreted as an adaptive response to anticipated future food scarcity, thus strengthening the "food storage" aspect of the behavior. However, scarce rainfall is generally inimical to seed germination. Therefore, burying more seeds under conditions unfavorable for plant growth does not logically support the hypothesis that the behavior is aimed at "promoting new plant growth."

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
Provides context about alternative seed dispersal mechanisms in different ecological scenarios. It establishes that rodents are one of several agents of seed dispersal. However, it does not shed light on the adaptive significance or purpose of the rodents' seed-burying behavior for the rodents themselves in terms of cultivating their food supply. It's a general ecological observation, not specific evidence supporting the hypothesized benefit of their burying practice.

Regards,
Lucas

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09 Jul 2025, 12:10

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let's check the options:

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

Imagine a rodent living in an area where there aren't many plants. If it starts burying seeds more often in those empty spots, it's like it's trying to "fill up" those empty spots with new plants. This directly supports the idea that they're promoting new plant growth, especially where it's needed most to increase their future food supply. It's like they're trying to improve their garden.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

This just tells us that other animals sometimes steal the buried seeds. It doesn't tell us anything about whether the seeds that aren't stolen eventually grow into new plants for the rodents' benefit. It's more about competition than the rodents' planting behaviour.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.

This actually works against the hypothesis. If seeds buried too deeply don't grow, then that part of their burying behaviour doesn't lead to new plant growth. The hypothesis is about promoting growth, so this shows a way it doesn't happen.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

If there's not much rain, there might be less food. So, burying more seeds could just be a desperate attempt to store food when it's scarce. It doesn't necessarily mean those seeds will grow into plants that boost future food supply, especially since scarce rainfall might mean bad conditions for plant growth anyway. It's not a clear link to "promoting new growth."

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

This just says that if rodents aren't around, other things like wind and bugs spread seeds. It tells us rodents are one way seeds get moved, but it doesn't explain why rodents bury them or if that specific burying action actually helps the seeds grow into new plants for the rodents. It's about seed distribution in general, not the specific benefit of burying.

Answer : Option (A) shows that the rodents are intentionally burying seeds in places where plant growth is lacking. This behaviour directly points to them trying to improve the plant density in those areas, which aligns perfectly with the hypothesis that they are promoting new plant growth to boost their future food supply. They're acting like gardeners trying to fill in empty spots.

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09 Jul 2025, 12:24

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Bunuel

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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground regions during times of plentiful food, and these rodents rarely recover the seeds they store. The hypothesis of the researchers are : this seed burying functions as 1) food storage 2) promote NEW plant growth around the areas. These two boost the future food supply.

Which of the following strengthens the hypothesis:

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

The practise of rodents burying seeds in areas where plant density is low, helps rodents to preserve food for future use. Burying in areas of low plant density comparatively to the regions of abundant vegetation, is to replenish the vegetation and promote NEW plant growth.

This STRENGTHENS the hypothesis.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

Since not all seeds are dug up, the buried seeds may or may not develop into a new plant. Hence, this may strengthen or weaken the hypothesis.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.

This is not a relevant reason to this hypothesis. Hence, eliminated.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

This mentions rodents save seeds anticipating worsening drought conditions. Hence, this doesn’t strengthen the hypothesis as option A does. Hence, eliminated.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

This is another irrelevant option.

Option A

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09 Jul 2025, 12:44

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Bunuel

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Conclusion: seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth

We have to strengthen the argument.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

This information does strengthen the argument as it shows that the purpose of seed burying is more than just for food.

Keep A.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

Doesn't matter to the conclusion. We have to show a relationship that rodents burry seeds to promote plant growth. Eliminate B.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.

This weakens the argument. We have to strengthen it. Eliminate C.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

Doesn't show that they are burring to grow plants. Eliminate D.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

Out of scope information. We can eliminate E.

Option A

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09 Jul 2025, 12:47

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

This option perfectly supports the hypothesis. They try harder to boost their future supply if they feel it's less abundant.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

This neither weakens nor strengthens the argument. Other animals eating the seeds do not disprove that the rodents bury them for their own good.

This option actually weakens the argument. If the seed can't germinate, then it won't fulfill the hypothesis about improving the future supply.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

This option is irrelevant, or if anything, it can weaken the argument. If they bury more seed in the high-rain periods, we could kind of infer that they do it for the future supply, but we can't infer it when they do it in the dry period.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

This is irrelevant. This information about areas where rodents are absent does affect the argument about why rodents bury the seeds.

The answer is A.

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09 Jul 2025, 13:47

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Solution:

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. Correct. This option strengthens the argument as it says that Rodents bury more seeds in areas where plant density is less and thereby promote the new plant growth.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. Incorrect. No, it doesn't strengthen; rather disagrees with what has been mentioned in the passage.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. Incorrect. How does it impact an argument?
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Incorrect. So, it is taking an argument in a different direction and giving us a reason to believe that seed dispersion can be done by wind and insects rather than by the burying of seeds by Rodents.

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09 Jul 2025, 14:06

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The correct answer choice is (A)

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(This supports the hypothesis as the claim is that rodents bury seeds to boost plant growth and by selecting a location with less plants, this would help the cause over time)

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(This would weaken the hypothesis as it would mean less plants would grow)

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(This would weaken the hypothesis as it would mean less plants would grow)

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(This may be true but unrelated to the hypothesis about burying seeds for an increase in future plants. In fact, the reduced rainfall may actually decrease future plant life)

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
(This is not relevant to the hypothesis)

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09 Jul 2025, 14:19

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Bunuel

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

CORRECT: Strengthens the argument as this pattern shows that the rodents don't just burry seeds for food.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

INCORRECT: Out of scope information. Doesn't help strengthen the conclusion. Eliminate B.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.

INCORRECT: We are looking for an option that shows that rodent burry to promote new plant growth. This information doesn't help.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

INCORRECT: This could be because of food. Hence, weakens. Eliminate D.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

INCORRECT: Out of scope information. Doesn't help strengthen the conclusion. Eliminate E.

Option A

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09 Jul 2025, 15:05

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We are to select the choice that most strongly supports the hypothesis, that plant promotion as an intentional or beneficial side effect of seed-burying.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

Supports the idea that rodents are strategically enhancing future food availability by burying in low-density areas.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

This doesn't relate to rodent benefits nor plant growth.

This is a weakner because it suggests that seed-burying doesn't lead to new plants.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

Irrelevant to plant growth and rodent benefits.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

Tell us about seed dispersal, Irrelevant to hypothesis

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09 Jul 2025, 16:34

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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.-CORRECT if they are burying seeds with low plant density then they are helping with the new plant growth and boosting future food supply.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.- this doesnt gives us a reason , why would rodents want it to be eaten by other animals
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.-this is opposite to what is concluded , we wont have any new plant generation.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.- this gives us a reason how?how is any season related?
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.-again irrelevant
imo:A