Question

Difficulty: EasyEvaluating Supporting Evidence

Read the following passage about termite mounds:

For years, biologists believed that termite mounds in the African savannah functioned primarily as solar chimneys, using external wind currents to draw out stale air from the nest. However, recent studies suggest a different mechanism: the mounds act as breathing structures that respond to day-night temperature fluctuations. Researcher Dr. Sarah Cole observed that during the day, the outer walls of the mound absorb heat, causing air to rise in the outer channels. Conversely, at night, the cooling of the outer walls reverses this flow. To support the claim that mound structure is driven by ventilation needs rather than structural stability, researchers pointed out that mounds built in windier regions have more porous outer walls. Furthermore, to demonstrate that temperature regulation is active, sensor readings showed that internal temperatures remained within a one-degree range despite external shifts of over twenty degrees. Lastly, the team noted that when the outer channels were artificially blocked, the termites immediately began excavating new tunnels, proving that the colony monitors and actively maintains air exchange pathways.

Based on the passage, match each claim made by the researchers on the left with the specific evidence from the text that supports it on the right.

  • Mound structure is adapted for ventilation rather than stabilityMounds built in windier regions feature more porous outer walls
  • The colony actively regulates its internal temperatureSensor readings show internal temperatures fluctuate by less than one degree
  • Termites monitor and maintain air exchange pathwaysTermites immediately excavate new tunnels when outer channels are blocked

Answer

Match the claim about ventilation to the porous walls of mounds in windier regions; match the claim about active temperature regulation to the stable sensor readings; and match the claim about monitoring air pathways to the termites' excavation behavior when channels were blocked.
Each claim is correctly matched to the evidence explicitly linked to it in the passage: the ventilation structure claim is supported by the porosity of mounds in windier regions; active temperature regulation is supported by stable sensor readings; and monitoring of pathways is supported by the termites' immediate tunnel excavation when blocked.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the claim regarding ventilation adaptation and scan the text for related evidence.
The text states that to support the claim that mound structure is driven by ventilation, researchers point out that mounds in windier regions have more porous outer walls.
This links the claim about ventilation structure directly to the evidence about windier regions and porous walls.
2
Identify the claim about active temperature regulation and find the corresponding evidence.
The text states that to demonstrate active temperature regulation, sensor readings showed internal temperatures remained within a one-degree range.
This links the active temperature regulation claim to the evidence of stable temperature readings.
3
Identify the claim about monitoring air exchange pathways and find the corresponding evidence.
The text states that termites excavating new tunnels when outer channels were blocked proves they monitor and maintain air exchange pathways.
This links the monitoring claim directly to the tunnel excavation behavior.

Key Concept

Evaluating Supporting Evidence
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