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14 Aug 2025, 07:08
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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.
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.
14 Aug 2025, 07:08
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Official Solution:
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.
(A) Correct. Burying seeds more likely in spots where plants are scarce aligns with the hypothesis: the rodents appear to be “planting” where growth is most needed. This is exactly the behavior that would likely help boost future food supply in their home range.
(B) This weakens the hypothesis. If other animals are stealing the seeds, it makes the strategy less effective for boosting the rodents' future food supply.
(C) Irrelevant/Trap. The stimulus already specifies that rodents bury seeds in shallow caches. Evidence about deep caches doesn’t tell us that shallow caches do germinate or that rodents are optimizing for growth. This option is a weak strengthener at best.
(D) Trap. A surge in seed-burying during drought could signal forward-looking “farming,” but it could just as easily reflect a simple need to stockpile when fresh food is scarce; without more context, this options offers only weak support. Not the best option.
(E) Irrelevant. Knowing that wind and insects handle dispersal where rodents are absent tells us nothing about the rodents’ motives in areas they do inhabit and therefore sheds no light on the hypothesis.
Answer: A
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.
(A) Correct. Burying seeds more likely in spots where plants are scarce aligns with the hypothesis: the rodents appear to be “planting” where growth is most needed. This is exactly the behavior that would likely help boost future food supply in their home range.
(B) This weakens the hypothesis. If other animals are stealing the seeds, it makes the strategy less effective for boosting the rodents' future food supply.
(C) Irrelevant/Trap. The stimulus already specifies that rodents bury seeds in shallow caches. Evidence about deep caches doesn’t tell us that shallow caches do germinate or that rodents are optimizing for growth. This option is a weak strengthener at best.
(D) Trap. A surge in seed-burying during drought could signal forward-looking “farming,” but it could just as easily reflect a simple need to stockpile when fresh food is scarce; without more context, this options offers only weak support. Not the best option.
(E) Irrelevant. Knowing that wind and insects handle dispersal where rodents are absent tells us nothing about the rodents’ motives in areas they do inhabit and therefore sheds no light on the hypothesis.
Answer: A
