V01-30

Official Solution:


Scientists studying climate change have found that the effect of global warming is not only a higher planetary temperature, but also a universal change in seasons, specifically earlier springs and later autumns. Though some argue that this is an advantage because it presents a longer summer growing season, others fear that too many animal species will be unable to adapt and will become extinct.

Which of the following is the best piece of evidence to support the conclusion that a longer summer season may hasten the extinction of some animal species?


A. Squirrel and chipmunk species are unable either to consume or to store all the nuts and berries produced during a longer growing season.
B. Fungus species typically produce spores only once a year and are unable to produce enough spores to release spores again before the end of a longer growing season.
C. Butterfly species, which respond quickly to changes in temperature, hatch caterpillars, which undergo metamorphosis into butterflies earlier, flying away before bird species have hatched their young, which feed exclusively on caterpillars.
D. Salmon species that rely on changes in temperature to signal the start of annual migrations leave their freshwater birthplaces earlier, before they have fed sufficiently on freshwater insects to reduce their number.
E. Reptile species that hibernate during winter months must emerge from hibernation sooner and spend a longer time searching for food before mating in mid-summer.


Situation: Some scientists argue that climate change will result in a longer growing season and cause the extinction of some animal species.

Reasoning: Which supports the conclusion that a longer growing season will result in some animal species becoming extinct? The first sentence states the general context for the passage: concern over climate change. More specifically, scientists are concerned that changes in the timing of the spring, summer, and autumn will have dire consequences for animal species who do not adapt quickly enough. The correct answer choice will provide an example of a species negatively affected by a change in the timing of seasons.

A. This option describes a scenario where squirrels and chipmunks face an abundance of food (surplus - good thing), which doesn't clearly link abundance of food to their extinction... Instead, Option A suggests a surplus, which might typically be seen as beneficial rather than harmful to these species. In short, Option A lacks a direct connection to any threat of extinction..

B. This option focuses on the reproductive cycle of fungus species, which are unable to adapt quickly enough to a longer growing season. While this shows a potential problem for the fungus, it doesn't directly relate to the extinction of animal species. Fungus is also not an animal as someone pointed out in the comments. Thus this choice is more about the fungus's ability to reproduce rather than a broader ecological impact leading to animal extinction.

C. CORRECT. C clearly and directly connects the extended growing season due to global warming with a negative outcome for animal species, demonstrating how changes in the environment can disrupt critical ecological relationships and lead to species decline or extinction. This option correctly identifies the danger to bird species whose food supply disappears when caterpillars turn to butterflies and fly away before the bird young have hatched.

D. illustrates a disruption in the salmon's lifecycle due to changes in migration timing. While D suggests or hints at potential problems for salmon growth and development as the result of the disruption, it does not directly tie how this could lead to their extinction or that it may at all. All we know is that Salmon leave early but we don't know if it is good, bad, or irrelevant. Moreover, the statement about not feeding sufficiently on insects actually points to an ecological imbalance impacting insects, rather than the salmon. In short, this choice runs around the argument but does not really address it.

E. Although this scenario shows a change in the behavior of reptiles due to a longer growing season, it doesn't clearly indicate how this would lead to their extinction. It suggests a change in activity patterns and possibly increased energy expenditure, but it lacks a direct link to a fatal outcome or a decrease in survival rates.


Answer: C