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Ornithologist: In the past few decades, populations of the crested scrub-jay living in urban areas have developed significantly shorter beaks than those living in surrounding rural woodlands. This morphological change is an evolutionary adaptation. Shorter beaks are better suited for scavenging human food scraps from flat surfaces, which are abundant in urban areas, whereas the longer beaks of rural jays are necessary for extracting insects from deep crevices in tree bark.

Which of the following statements, if true, strengthen the ornithologist's argument? (Select all that apply.)

  1. Urban scrub-jays raised in captivity from hatching on a strict diet of tree-dwelling insects still develop shorter beaks than rural scrub-jays.Cevap
  2. When presented with identical human food scraps on a flat surface, scrub-jays with shorter beaks consume the food significantly faster than those with longer beaks.Cevap
  3. C
    Observation of urban environments reveals that scrub-jays with longer beaks are more successful at defending human food scraps from competing bird species.
  4. D
    Several other urban bird species that exclusively eat seeds from feeders, rather than scavenging human food scraps, have also developed shorter beaks in recent decades.
  5. E
    The total population of crested scrub-jays in urban areas has steadily increased over the past few decades, while the rural population has slightly declined.

Cevap

The correct statements are the one demonstrating that captive urban jays retain short beaks regardless of diet, and the one confirming that shorter beaks provide a consumption speed advantage on flat surfaces.
The ornithologist argues that the shorter beaks in urban scrub-jays are an evolutionary adaptation specifically suited for scavenging human food scraps. To strengthen this causal claim, we must support the mechanism or rule out alternative explanations. The option involving jays raised in captivity strengthens the argument by ruling out environmental plasticity (e.g., that eating from flat surfaces simply wears down the beak), thereby supporting the claim that the change is genetic. The option comparing food consumption speeds directly validates the premise that shorter beaks provide a tangible mechanical advantage for scavenging on flat surfaces.

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1
Identify the main conclusion and the supporting premises of the argument.
Conclusion: The shorter beaks of urban scrub-jays are an evolutionary adaptation for scavenging human food scraps. Premises: Urban jays have shorter beaks than rural jays; short beaks are better for flat surfaces; long beaks are needed for tree bark.
Understanding the core argument structure is required before evaluating how to strengthen its logic.
2
Analyze the logical gaps or vulnerabilities in the argument.
The argument assumes the change is genetic/evolutionary rather than a physical result of wear and tear (developmental plasticity). It also assumes the theoretical advantage of short beaks actually translates to a practical advantage in acquiring food.
Identifying weaknesses highlights exactly what kind of new information would shore up the argument's plausibility.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against the identified gaps.
The statement about captive-raised jays proves the trait is genetic, eliminating the alternative cause of physical wear. The statement about consumption speed proves the practical advantage, validating the proposed mechanism.
Correct answers in a strengthen question must directly address and bridge the logical gaps in the author's reasoning.

Anahtar Kavram

Strengthen - Ruling out Alternate Causes and Validating Causal Mechanisms
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