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505-555 Level|   Resolve Paradox|         
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches 21 May 2019, 02:34
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80% (01:45) correct 20% (02:11) wrong based on 506 sessions

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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests are less well-nourished than are herds living in old-growth forests.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible to other deer species.

(B) Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more female with young offspring and fewer adult males than do other mule deer populations.

(C) Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well as cool, wet climates.

(D) As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins.

(E) Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primary on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which they drop onto passing deer.
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D
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches 01 Mar 2021, 05:15
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests are less well-nourished than are herds living in old-growth forests.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible to other deer species.

(B) Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more female with young offspring and fewer adult males than do other mule deer populations.

(C) Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well as cool, wet climates.

(D) As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins.

(E) Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primary on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which they drop onto passing deer.
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Official Explanation



(A) No. The paradox involves the health of mule deer living in old-growth forests and the health of mule deer living in cleared forests, not between the mule deer and other species of deer.

(B) No. It is conceivable that both female deer and their young offspring are less well nourished than adult males; however, this is speculation.

(C) No. Their natural range is irrelevant. At issue is the difference in their health in cleared forest versus old-growth forests.

(D) Yes. We are looking for an agent that would cause the deer to become less well nourished even as their food supply increases. Choice (D) offers an agent—tannins, which inhibit digestion of food. So even though the deer have more food to eat, they receive less nutrition from the food.

(E) No. This should make the deer better nourished in cleared forest since there are few trees from which the parasites could drop onto the deer.
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches 21 May 2019, 10:26
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Bunuel
When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests are less well-nourished than are herds living in old-growth forests.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible to other deer species.

(B) Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more female with young offspring and fewer adult males than do other mule deer populations.

(C) Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well as cool, wet climates.

(D) As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins.

(E) Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primary on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which they drop onto passing deer.
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IMO D; As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins.
effect associated with increased sunlight: the more sunlight, the more tannins, the more difficult the digestive process.
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches 23 May 2019, 03:03
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests are less well-nourished than are herds living in old-growth forests.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible to other deer species.

(B) Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more female with young offspring and fewer adult males than do other mule deer populations.

(C) Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well as cool, wet climates.

(D) As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins.

(E) Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primary on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which they drop onto passing deer.
Show more

The correct answer for this question is D. This question requires us to resolve the paradox, which means we must first identify what that paradox is. In this case, it's that the light helps the shrubs to grow, which in turn should help the mule deer. But the mule deer are worse off. We need to find an option therefore that explains why the mule deer might be worse off.

A - This gives mule-deer a digestion advantage. If anything, this actually deepens the paradox, since this being true should see better nourished deer, not worse. OUT

B - A bit tempting, but unclear. This tells us that we're likely to see a lot of 'women and children' mule deer. However, it doesn't say anything about how this might impact overall health, any judgement we make there is our own assumption. OUT

C - This information is totally irrelevant. We're looking for something that would suggest that the mule-deer will struggle, and this ain't it. OUT

D - If this statement is true, it means that more sunlight = worse digestion for mule-deer. This could actually explain the under-nourishment and therefore correctly resolves the paradox

E - If these parasites dwell in trees, then the removal of these trees should help the mule-deer further. Hence, just like option A, this one deepens the paradox. OUT

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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches 12 Oct 2023, 09:32
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When old-grow forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests are less well-nourished than are herds living in old-growth forests.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

(A) Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible to other deer species. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(B) Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more female with young offspring and fewer adult males than do other mule deer populations. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(C) Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well as cool, wet climates. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(D) As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion of the plants' proteins. - CORRECT. Indigestible protein causing less nourishment.

(E) Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primary on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which they drop onto passing deer. - WRONG. Confuses more as it gives a possible reason for what may have lead to the paradox.

Answer D.
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