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16 Sep 2014, 01:59
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Although it might seem counterintuitive for an attacking dragonfly to present itself openly, scientists observed that in 8 out of 15 inter-species battles between male dragonflies, the attackers did not hide their presence as they typically would from predators. Instead, they employed a technique known as 'motion camouflage,' in which they attacked openly but in a straight line from a fixed object. This caused the reactions of their adversaries, who did not appear to realize they were approaching, to be significantly delayed, resulting in victory for the attackers in each case.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the success of motion camouflage in dragonfly battles?
A. The attacking dragonflies had developed a unique visual pattern on their wings that mesmerized their adversaries during the approach.
B. The adversaries of the dragonflies expected to be attacked openly.
C. Scientists record a lower success rate for dragonflies who attack using a zig-zag pattern, rather than a straight line attack.
D. Scientist theorize that by attacking in a straight line aligned with a landmark, the dragonflies effectively minimized visual cues that could indicate their movement, making it harder for adversaries to track their approach.
E. The adversaries were typically older and had slower reaction times, making them easy targets for the attacking dragonflies.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the success of motion camouflage in dragonfly battles?
A. The attacking dragonflies had developed a unique visual pattern on their wings that mesmerized their adversaries during the approach.
B. The adversaries of the dragonflies expected to be attacked openly.
C. Scientists record a lower success rate for dragonflies who attack using a zig-zag pattern, rather than a straight line attack.
D. Scientist theorize that by attacking in a straight line aligned with a landmark, the dragonflies effectively minimized visual cues that could indicate their movement, making it harder for adversaries to track their approach.
E. The adversaries were typically older and had slower reaction times, making them easy targets for the attacking dragonflies.
16 Sep 2014, 01:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
Official Solution:
Although it might seem counterintuitive for an attacking dragonfly to present itself openly, scientists observed that in 8 out of 15 inter-species battles between male dragonflies, the attackers did not hide their presence as they typically would from predators. Instead, they employed a technique known as 'motion camouflage,' in which they attacked openly but in a straight line from a fixed object. This caused the reactions of their adversaries, who did not appear to realize they were approaching, to be significantly delayed, resulting in victory for the attackers in each case.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the success of motion camouflage in dragonfly battles?
A. The attacking dragonflies had developed a unique visual pattern on their wings that mesmerized their adversaries during the approach.
B. The adversaries of the dragonflies expected to be attacked openly.
C. Scientists record a lower success rate for dragonflies who attack using a zig-zag pattern, rather than a straight line attack.
D. Scientist theorize that by attacking in a straight line aligned with a landmark, the dragonflies effectively minimized visual cues that could indicate their movement, making it harder for adversaries to track their approach.
E. The adversaries were typically older and had slower reaction times, making them easy targets for the attacking dragonflies.
General Approach
In answering Critical Reasoning questions on GMAT, the important approach is to understand the situation presented in the passage and the question posed. In this passage, the situation is that dragonflies employ a technique called 'motion camouflage' during battles and seem unusually successful. The question asks what might be the best explanation for this. The successful approach to answering such questions lies in picking out the option that best matches the data or situation given in the passage.
Correct Answer
Choice D is the correct answer. This choice provides a plausible explanation for the success of the dragonflies' 'motion camouflage' by suggesting that the attacking dragonfly remains stationary from the point of view of its adversary. This perfectly explains why the adversaries don't seem to realize they are being approached, hence the success of this technique. This aligns well with the information provided in the passage.
Incorrect Answers
Choice A is incorrect because it does not explain why the direct line of attack worked better. If the attacking dragonflies developed a unique visual pattern, they it should have worked in all lines of attack. This answer choice is irrelevant.
Choice B is incorrect because it does the opposite of what is required. If the adversaries expected to be attacked openly, they should have been prepared and reacted quickly, which contradicts the information in the passage.
Choice C is not relevant to the discussion in the passage as it introduces another pattern of attacking which is a zig-zag pattern. This does not provide an explanation for the success of the 'motion camouflage'.
Choice E is incorrect because it is also irrelevant to the argument. If the adversaries were indeed old and slow, then why did the straight-line attack work better? Any attack should have worked. This answer choice does not explain the counterintuitive straight-line open attack.
Answer: D
Although it might seem counterintuitive for an attacking dragonfly to present itself openly, scientists observed that in 8 out of 15 inter-species battles between male dragonflies, the attackers did not hide their presence as they typically would from predators. Instead, they employed a technique known as 'motion camouflage,' in which they attacked openly but in a straight line from a fixed object. This caused the reactions of their adversaries, who did not appear to realize they were approaching, to be significantly delayed, resulting in victory for the attackers in each case.
Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation of the success of motion camouflage in dragonfly battles?
A. The attacking dragonflies had developed a unique visual pattern on their wings that mesmerized their adversaries during the approach.
B. The adversaries of the dragonflies expected to be attacked openly.
C. Scientists record a lower success rate for dragonflies who attack using a zig-zag pattern, rather than a straight line attack.
D. Scientist theorize that by attacking in a straight line aligned with a landmark, the dragonflies effectively minimized visual cues that could indicate their movement, making it harder for adversaries to track their approach.
E. The adversaries were typically older and had slower reaction times, making them easy targets for the attacking dragonflies.
General Approach
In answering Critical Reasoning questions on GMAT, the important approach is to understand the situation presented in the passage and the question posed. In this passage, the situation is that dragonflies employ a technique called 'motion camouflage' during battles and seem unusually successful. The question asks what might be the best explanation for this. The successful approach to answering such questions lies in picking out the option that best matches the data or situation given in the passage.
Correct Answer
Choice D is the correct answer. This choice provides a plausible explanation for the success of the dragonflies' 'motion camouflage' by suggesting that the attacking dragonfly remains stationary from the point of view of its adversary. This perfectly explains why the adversaries don't seem to realize they are being approached, hence the success of this technique. This aligns well with the information provided in the passage.
Incorrect Answers
Choice A is incorrect because it does not explain why the direct line of attack worked better. If the attacking dragonflies developed a unique visual pattern, they it should have worked in all lines of attack. This answer choice is irrelevant.
Choice B is incorrect because it does the opposite of what is required. If the adversaries expected to be attacked openly, they should have been prepared and reacted quickly, which contradicts the information in the passage.
Choice C is not relevant to the discussion in the passage as it introduces another pattern of attacking which is a zig-zag pattern. This does not provide an explanation for the success of the 'motion camouflage'.
Choice E is incorrect because it is also irrelevant to the argument. If the adversaries were indeed old and slow, then why did the straight-line attack work better? Any attack should have worked. This answer choice does not explain the counterintuitive straight-line open attack.
Answer: D
08 Aug 2022, 04:18
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The question or/and solution has been revised and edited. Thank you sayantanc2k !!!
