Experts have differed about where the genus Varanus (monitor lizards)

Question

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Passage # 437, Date: 07-Nov-2019
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Experts have differed about where the genus Varanus (monitor lizards) originated. Because most existing species live in Australia, early researchers concluded that Varanus originated in Australia and subsequently island hopped westward along the Indo-Australian archipelago. Herpetologist Robert Mertens later argued that Varanus probably originated in the archipelago. Chromosomal analysis has since supported Mertens’ contention, and in addition,  geologic evidence  points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.

A related puzzle for scientists is the present distribution of Varanus’ largest surviving species, the Komodo dragon. These carnivores live only on four small islands in the archipelago where, scientists note, the prey base is too small to support mammalian carnivores. But the Komodo dragon has recently been shown to manage body temperature much more efficiently than do mammalian carnivores, enabling it to survive on about a tenth of the food energy required by a mammalian carnivore of comparable size.   1  
 D 
 1. It can be inferred from the passage that the geographical distribution of the Komodo dragon is

A) currently less restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus
B) currently more restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus
C) less restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole 
D) more restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole
E) viewed as evidence in favor of the hypothesis that the genus Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago

2  
 A 
 2. Which of the following elements in the debate over the origin of Varanus is NOT provided in the passage?

A) The evidence that led Mertens to argue that Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago
B) The evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus originated in Australia
C) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to the Indo- Australian archipelago if it had originated in Australia
D) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to Australia if it had originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago
E) An indication of the general present-day distribution of Varanus species between Australia and the Indo-Australian archipelago

3  
 B 
 3. It can be inferred that which of the following is true of the “geologic evidence” ( Highlighted ) ?

A) It was first noted by Mertens as evidence in favor of his theory about the origins of Varanus.
B) It cannot rule out either one of the theories about the origins of Varanus discussed in the passage.
C) It accounts for the present distribution of the Komodo dragon.
D) It has led to renewed interest in the debate over the origins of Varanus.
E) It confirms the conclusions reached by early researchers concerning the origins of Varanus.

Skywalker18 · Answer

All correct in 6 mins 10 seconds, including 2 mins to read
Para 1- experts have different views on origins of Varanus; Early researchers' view- Australia to Indo-Australian archipelago; RM's opposite view
Para 2- Komodo dragon distribution- a puzzle; ability to manage body temperature much more efficiently than do mammalian carnivores

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the geographical distribution of the Komodo dragon is 
D) more restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole- Correct
These carnivores live only on four small islands in the archipelago where, scientists note, the prey base is too small to support mammalian carnivores

2. Which of the following elements in the debate over the origin of Varanus is NOT provided in the passage? 
A) The evidence that led Mertens to argue that Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago- Correct
B) The evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus originated in Australia- incorrect, Because most existing species live in Australia, early researchers concluded that Varanus originated in Australia and subsequently island hopped westward along the Indo-Australian archipelago.
C) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to the Indo- Australian archipelago if it had originated in Australia- incorrect, 
early researchers concluded that Varanus originated in Australia and subsequently island hopped westward along the Indo-Australian archipelago
D) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to Australia if it had originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago- incorrect, 
geologic evidence points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.
E) An indication of the general present-day distribution of Varanus species between Australia and the Indo-Australian archipelago - incorrect,
most existing species live in Australia
geologic evidence points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.

3. It can be inferred that which of the following is true of the “geologic evidence” ( Highlighted ) ?

A) It was first noted by Mertens as evidence in favor of his theory about the origins of Varanus.- incorrect, we are never told Mertens used it as an evidence
B) It cannot rule out either one of the theories about the origins of Varanus discussed in the passage.- Correct
C) It accounts for the present distribution of the Komodo dragon.- incorrect; it could account but we can't say for sure
geologic evidence points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.
D) It has led to renewed interest in the debate over the origins of Varanus.- incorrect, no discussion about renewed interest
E) It confirms the conclusions reached by early researchers concerning the origins of Varanus.- incorrect, it weakens the claims of early researchers

AA01 · Answer

I marked D for the 3rd question. Could you please elaborate on how B is correct and not D?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

AA01  here it is.

Official Explanation

3. It can be inferred that which of the following is true of the “geologic evidence” ( Highlighted ) ?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

Choice B  is correct. The passage presents the  “geologic evidence”  so as to provide a possible explanation for the prevalence of the various species of Varanus in Australia if indeed Mertens’ theory is correct. But the evidence itself does not rule out the possibility that the earlier theory is correct and that Mertens is not, so the  “geologic evidence”  cannot rule out either theory.

Choice A  is incorrect because there is no specific indication that Mertens first provided this evidence, and the chronology of the presentation suggests that he did not.

Choice C  is incorrect as there is no mention in the passage of a specifically renewed interest in the debate.

Choice D  is incorrect since the  “geologic evidence”  does not rule out nor confirm either Mertens’ conclusions or those of earlier researchers.

Answer: B

Hope it helps

mimishyu · Answer

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the geographical distribution of the Komodo dragon is

A) currently less restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus
B) currently more restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus-if this assumption established, then it means that “ when these researcher first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus”, the geographical distribution of the Komodo dragon is “less restricted”, however, we don’t know for sure that whether its 
true or not, we can only infer from the beginning of the second
paragraph that “present distribution does very restricted (
(comparing to the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole, since they live on the whole archipelago…)

C) less restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole 
D) more restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole
E) viewed as evidence in favor of the hypothesis that the genus Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago

2. Which of the following elements in the debate over the origin of Varanus is NOT provided in the passage?- not limit only to passage one or two..

(A) The evidence that led Mertens to argue that Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago
 Robert Mertens later argued that Varanus probably originated in the archipelago. Chromosomal analysis has since supported Mertens’ contention…so further analysis support Mertons argument, not the evidence earlier led Mertons to argue…???

B) The evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus originated in Australia
C) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to the Indo- Australian archipelago if it had originated in Australia
D) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to Australia if it had originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago(para1 lower part)

E) An indication of the general present-day distribution of Varanus species between Australia and the Indo-Australian archipelago-para1, last sentence

3. It can be inferred that which of the following is true of the “geologic evidence” (Highlighted) ?

A) It was first noted by Mertens as evidence in favor of his theory about the origins of Varanus.
B) It cannot rule out either one of the theories about the origins of Varanus discussed in the passage.
 collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved, so theory 1&2 cannot be ruled out
In passage 1,
theory 1 early researcher
 AustraliaIndo-Australian archipelago
theory 2herpetologist Mertons
 originate Indo-Australia archipelagospread to 
 Australia(because of collision)

C) It accounts for the present distribution of the Komodo dragon.
I don’t know why this option is wrong
somebody explain thus
it could account but we can't say for sure
geologic evidence points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.
maybe present distribution of ‘Komodo dragon” isn’t same as “genus”???it is only a subset belonging to a larger group--genus

D) It has led to renewed interest in the debate over the origins of Varanus.
E) It confirms the conclusions reached by early researchers concerning the origins of Varanus.

deep31993 · Answer

Q 2nd was little tricky. Can someone post an explanation for that?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. Which of the following elements in the debate over the origin of Varanus is NOT provided in the passage?

Difficulty Level:   750

Explanation

The passage provides support for Mertens’ argument by providing later chromosomal evidence as well as geologic evidence but it does not provide nor describe the evidence with which Mertens originally argued.

Choices B and E  are incorrect because the passage states that early researchers argued for a specific origin for Varanus  “because most existing species live in Australia",  which indicates the present-day distribution of species.

Choices C and D  are incorrect because the passage provides geologic evidence to suggest a possible explanation for how Varanus may have spread to either Australia or the archipelago regardless of its origin.

Choice A is correct.

ricardorr04 · Answer

6 minutes and all correct, wasn't a bad passage.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Experts have differed about where the genus Varanus (monitor lizards)

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Experts have differed about where the genus Varanus (monitor lizards)

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