Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyCross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

Text 1
Paleontologist Dr. Aris Vance argues that the extinct ground sloth *Mylodon darwinii* was a strict herbivore. Vance points to fossilized dung samples retrieved from South American caves, which contain exclusively plant matter, such as grasses, sedges, and leaves. According to Vance, the sloth's specialized, low-crowned teeth and large digestive system were evolutionary adaptations optimized solely for processing fibrous vegetation. He contends that these physiological traits would have made the digestion of animal proteins highly inefficient, if not impossible. Consequently, Vance asserts that the species relied entirely on plant resources for its survival.

Text 2
Ecologist Dr. Sarah Jenkins agrees that *Mylodon darwinii* consumed a vast amount of plant material, but she argues that the species likely scavenged animal carcasses to supplement its diet when vegetation was scarce. Jenkins highlights recent isotopic analyses of the sloth's fossilized bone collagen, which revealed nitrogen-15 levels that are significantly higher than those typically found in strict herbivores. Jenkins suggests that these chemical signatures can only be explained by the periodic ingestion of animal proteins, suggesting that *Mylodon darwinii* was an opportunistic omnivore rather than a dedicated herbivore.

Based on the passages, how would Dr. Vance (Text 1) most likely respond to Dr. Jenkins's characterization of *Mylodon darwinii* as an opportunistic omnivore (Text 2)?

  1. A
    By agreeing that isotopic analysis of bone collagen provides a more reliable indicator of diet than fossilized dung.
  2. B
    By suggesting that *Mylodon darwinii* likely transitioned from a herbivorous diet to an omnivorous diet over time.
  3. By asserting that the physical evidence of the sloth's diet and anatomy is incompatible with the consumption of animal proteins.Answer
  4. D
    By pointing out that grasses and sedges contain sufficient nitrogen to explain the high isotope levels in the sloth's bone collagen.

Answer

Dr. Vance would respond by asserting that the physical evidence of the sloth's diet and anatomy is incompatible with the consumption of animal proteins.
The correct answer is correct because Vance explicitly focuses on physical evidence—specifically, fossilized dung samples, teeth structure, and the digestive system—to argue that the sloth was a strict herbivore. Because he claims these features made processing animal protein highly inefficient or impossible, he would argue that Jenkins's claim of opportunistic omnivory is contradicted by this anatomical and physical evidence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Text 1's main claim and evidence regarding the sloth's diet.
Text 1 argues the sloth was a strict herbivore, pointing to dung samples and digestive anatomy that made eating meat impossible.
To understand the perspective of the author of Text 1.
2
Analyze Text 2's main claim and evidence.
Text 2 argues the sloth was an opportunistic omnivore, pointing to bone collagen isotope levels that suggest animal protein consumption.
To identify the specific claim that the author of Text 1 must respond to.
3
Determine how the author of Text 1 would react to Text 2's claim.
Since the author of Text 1 believes anatomy made digesting meat impossible and dung shows only plants, they would reject the omnivore claim based on this physical and anatomical evidence.
To find the option that correctly describes this response.

Key Concept

Cross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Cross-Text Connections: Perspective Comparison

More questions from this topic