Reading Comprehension

PT107 · S2 · P3 · Q16 Platypus Bill

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Scientists have long known that the soft surface of the bill of the platypus is perforated with openings that contain sensitive nerve endings.

Topic

How the platypus uses its bill—specifically, touch and electroreception—to find prey underwater.

Framework

Old / New

Main Point

Scientists used to think the platypus’s bill was just touch-sensitive, but new studies reveal that it relies on both touch and electric signals to hunt underwater prey, since its eyes, ears, and nostrils are sealed while submerged. *Most Valuable Sentence*: (end of P1).

P1: Discovery of Bill Sensory Function

Scientists have long known that the platypus's bill is full of nerves, but only recently concluded that it is the primary way the animal finds food underwater because it can sense both touch and electrical signals. Bohringer's studies showed the bill is super sensitive to touch, but didn’t explain how it locates prey they can’t touch yet.

P2: Electroreception Revealed Through Experiments

Scheich’s research showed that platypuses hunt by detecting weak electric fields, just like some fish. His experiments (using a battery in water) made platypuses react as if food were present, showing they can sense electric fields from a distance—which led to the idea that the platypus hunts by sensing the electrical signals of its prey.

16.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

  1. explain how the platypus locates

    Too Narrow

    This explains the function of the 2nd paragraph, but not the passage overall. The 1st paragraph explicitly does not explain how the platypus locates prey at a distance. But the 1st paragraph is still an important part (1/2) of the passage. In that paragraph, we learn that it is a new / recent discovery that the platypus uses its bill to locate prey. It uses mechanoreceptors to feel out prey within touching distance (1st paragraph) and electroreceptors to sense prey at a distance (2nd paragraph). We need an answer that could better wrap its arms around both paragraphs.

    15% picked this

  2. Correct

    present some recent scientific research

    Why this is right

    If we saw this passage as Old / New, then we would certainly find some of this answer's wording attractive: present some recent research Is the research dealing with the function of the bill? Yes, it deals with how the platypus uses its bill to locate prey underwater. We might not love that this answer sounds a little too broad in saying "the function of the platypus's bill", given that the passage is only telling us about one specific function (locating prey underwater). After all, the platypus's bill may have many functions. But it's still true to say that we are hearing the takeaways of people who were researching the function of the platypus's bill. In fact, one takeaway is that "the platypus's bill functions as the primary sense organ of the platypus." Mostly, we just have to come to peace with this answer being the best available, despite being imperfect.

    Skill tested: Primary Purpose · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    79% picked this

  3. assess the results of Bohringer’s

    Out of Scope

    Out of Scope: assess Too Narrow: Bohringer We can stop reading with the verb "assess", which implies that the author evaluated the merits of Bohringer's work. This author was purely in presentational / reporting mode. He didn't do any editorializing. We can't find his opinion anywhere. Also, Bohringer's work only covers the 1st paragraph. What about Scheich's work?

    1% picked this

  4. present Scheich’s contributions to scientific

    Too Narrow: Scheich

    It is true that the passage presents Scheich's contributions, but this only covers the 2nd paragraph. This answer would essentially have the same virtues and detriments as choice (A). We want an answer broad enough to envelop both the 1st and 2nd paragraphs.

    4% picked this

  5. describe two different kinds of

    Too Narrow

    The passage doesn't describe two different kinds of pores on the bill. It defines two different kinds of receptors within pores on the bill. However, even if this answer said 'receptors' instead of 'pores', it would still feel too narrow. The author's main objective in writing the passage wasn't to define two different types of receptors. The author was trying to report on our new discovery that the platypus uses its bill to locate prey underwater.

    1% picked this

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