Q17

[peg_city]

Why is C a better answer then D
Thanks

[ohthatpatrick]

The real problem with (D) is its 2nd component. The 2nd paragraph isn't saying that we can finally distinguish parasitic from symbiotic fungi; it's saying that we can finally distinguish the fungal DNA from the algae's DNA.

Throughout the 2nd paragraph, they saying that fungi and alga may be parasitically or symbiotically associated, but either way, they're so intertwined it's been impossible to figure out where one begins and the other ends. The big breakthrough is that now we can finally isolate the DNA of fungi from that of the alga.

=== other answers ===
A) this doesn't havethe 2nd component is not a good match for the 2nd paragraph. We don't describe a DNA sequence anywhere in the 2nd paragraph. We only describe how researchers have finally found a way to ascertain the DNA sequence of lichen-forming fungi.

B) lines 45-47 contradict the 3rd component of this answer

C) correct

D) mentioned above

E) 3rd component is not a good match. Researchers have essentially solved the problem mentioned in the 2nd component. The final paragraph is about the implications of what they've found by solving the problem, not implications of the problem itself.

[jasonshaffer0]

The real problem with (D) is its 2nd component. The 2nd paragraph isn't saying that we can finally distinguish parasitic from symbiotic fungi; it's saying that we can finally distinguish the fungal DNA from the algae's DNA.

Throughout the 2nd paragraph, they saying that fungi and alga may be parasitically or symbiotically associated, but either way, they're so intertwined it's been impossible to figure out where one begins and the other ends. The big breakthrough is that now we can finally isolate the DNA of fungi from that of the alga.

=== other answers ===
A) this doesn't havethe 2nd component is not a good match for the 2nd paragraph. We don't describe a DNA sequence anywhere in the 2nd paragraph. We only describe how researchers have finally found a way to ascertain the DNA sequence of lichen-forming fungi.

B) lines 45-47 contradict the 3rd component of this answer

C) correct

D) mentioned above

E) 3rd component is not a good match. Researchers have essentially solved the problem mentioned in the 2nd component. The final paragraph is about the implications of what they've found by solving the problem, not implications of the problem itself.

I'm having trouble with answer choice B. I assume the issue is that it states the "application of these findings in support of an evolutionary theory." You point to lines 45-47, in which the author applies the findings to provide support against an evolutionary theory, seemingly making choice C incorrect. But isn't the author putting forth his own evolutionary theory and using these findings as support? Namely that "fungi can evolve toward mutualism and then just as easily turn back toward parasitism." (57-58).

[mornincounselor]

Ah, so for these type of questions the correct choice has to mention something from each paragraph?

Choices which mention three things all specifically mentioned in the passage, one that does so in the correct order but mentions two items from an initial paragraph and an item from the final paragraph without mention of anything from the second paragraph will be incorrect for this type of question? That is why (A) is wrong?

(B) is wrong because "these findings" are used to cut against an evolutionary theory not to support it.

is (D) wrong because the passage does not distinguish between parasitic and symbiotic fungi?

(E) is wrong because the passage doesn't expand the problems described to evolutionary theory.

[maryadkins]

The answer to one of these questions should refer to everything important in the passage, yes. You will look for reasons to eliminate choices. I would not try to make a rule about how many mentions per paragraph are required or anything like that. It's too specific.

See Patrick's earlier post re: your answer for (D)—correct.

Hope this helps.