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Difficulty: EasyEvaluating Inter-Passage Relationships and Function

Passage A

Many animal species undergo hibernation, a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression, to survive cold winters when food is scarce. During hibernation, an animal's body temperature drops significantly, and its heart rate slows to a fraction of its normal pace. This physiological shift allows the animal to conserve vital energy reserves. Biologists have long hypothesized that this adaptation is crucial for survival in environments with highly seasonal food availability.

Passage B

In a recent study, researchers monitored thirteen wild ground squirrels throughout the winter. Using specialized telemetry collars, the team tracked the squirrels' internal temperatures and metabolic rates. The data revealed that during their hibernation cycle, the squirrels lowered their metabolic rate to less than five percent of their active rate. This extreme reduction allowed them to survive the winter on stored body fat alone, providing strong empirical evidence for the long-held theory of energy conservation during periods of extreme cold.

Based on the passages, which of the following best describes the relationship between Passage B and Passage A?

  1. A
    Passage B challenges the primary explanation of hibernation that is introduced in Passage A.
  2. B
    Passage B outlines the evolutionary origins of hibernation, whereas Passage A focuses on modern conservation efforts.
  3. Passage B provides specific empirical evidence that supports the general theory explained in Passage A.Answer
  4. D
    Passage B details the hibernation habits of multiple species, while Passage A focuses on a single animal.

Answer

Passage B provides specific empirical evidence that supports the general theory explained in Passage A.
The correct answer is the option stating that Passage B provides specific empirical evidence that supports the general theory explained in Passage A. This is because Passage A outlines the broad, long-held biological theory that hibernation serves as an energy-conservation mechanism during winter. Passage B then presents a concrete scientific study monitoring ground squirrels, providing specific data (internal temperatures and metabolic rates) that confirms the energy-conservation hypothesis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Passage A to determine its main focus.
Passage A introduces the general scientific theory that hibernation is an adaptation allowing animals to conserve energy when food is scarce.
Understanding the core argument of the first passage is necessary to evaluate how the second passage relates to it.
2
Analyze Passage B to determine its main focus.
Passage B details a specific scientific study on ground squirrels, demonstrating that they lower their metabolic rates to survive winter.
Understanding the function of the second passage allows for comparison with the first.
3
Synthesize the relationship between the two passages.
Passage B provides empirical data from a study of ground squirrels to support the energy-conservation theory presented in Passage A.
This comparative step directly addresses the question of how the two passages function in relation to one another.

Key Concept

Evaluating the relationship between two passages by identifying how a specific study or example in one passage relates to a general theory presented in another.
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Topics

Evaluating Inter-Passage Relationships and Function

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