Q18

[agersh144]

I choose B, can someone please breakdown what the major differences that key us into the distinction between A and B?

[tommywallach]

Hey Agersh,

Whenever you're faced with a question such as this one, start out by studying the structure of the passage yourself:

P1: Introduction to SSH through example
P2: Theory of SSH
P3: Example where SSH doesn't hold
P4: Example where SSH does hold
P5: Experiment proving SSH holding example

Now let's look at the answer choices:

(A) CORRECT. We start off with a hypothesis (SSH), and then we give relevant examples/studies, as well as evaluate them (the author approves of the final study, but doesn't approve of the data described in P3).

(B) The phenomenon in discussion here is SSH, but the passage never provides several explanations for it. By definition, SSH explain itself: the explanation is that certain characteristics signal status without that status needing to be proven/earned. No other explanation is available.

(C) This is almost the same as (B). We don't have multiple causes, plus it's more a phenomenon/hypothesis than a behavior (it's not a behavior to have a wide streak of plumage).

(D) There's no conundrum, nor does the passage describe history.

(E) There are no opinions given against the validity of SSH. The passage definitively states that it exists (as a viable theory, at any rate), only that it applies to the titmouse more than other animals.

Hope that helps!

-t

[jkwid25]

I'm still not understanding the elimination of (C). Couldn't the behavior be the fight avoidance and conflicts victories? Also, couldn't the "causes" then be referring to the two theories (darker throat vs wider breast stripe)?

[lissethbayona]

I think (C) is wrong because it says, "possible underlying CAUSES for the behaviors are reported" but the studies mentioned in passage do not attempt to explain the causes for the SSH (I think that would entail something more along the lines of explaining WHY birds react differently to one another upon noticing certain attributes). Rather the purpose of each study was to provide evidence that the SSH is correct/does exist. (Lines 18 and 39-40)

Can someone weigh in and let me know if my thinking correct here? Thanks!