Cyclamen Mites

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct46% picked this

   In both treated and untreated plots inhabited by both Typhlodromus and cyclamen mites, the latter would

   Why this is right

   In both plots, Typhlodromus would be able to do its thang, since parathion is no longer present to kill it. What is Typhlo's thang? Controlling the population of cyclamen mites. In the treated plants, Typhlo would have much less work cut out for it, though, since pesticide X by itself would control the cyclamens by drastically reducing the reproductive growth of the cyclamens.

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

   46%
2. B

   Unsupported Comparison: substantially lower6% picked this

   Cyclamen mite populations in all treated plots from which Typhlodromus was absent would have been substantially lower than in untreated plots inhabited

   We have no reason to think that cyclamens would be substantially lower in treated vs. untreated plots, since untreated plots would have Unsupported Comparison controlling the cyclamens and the treated plots would have Pesticide X controlling the cyclamens. They might not be identically effective, but there's no reason to think they're substantially different.

   6%
3. C

   Contradicted:25% picked this

   In the treated plots, slowed reproduction in cyclamen mites would have led to a loss of reproductive synchrony

   The middle/end of 2nd paragraph tells us that the reproductory rate of Typhlodromus would also slow down since it is responsive to reductions in cyclamen populations.

   25%
4. D

   Bad Match: 2nd Half11% picked this

   In the treated plots, Typhlodromus populations would have decreased temporarily and would

   We do think that the <i>Typhlodromus</i> population would decrease in response to the massive slowing of cyclamens reproduction, but we have no reason to think that the <i>Typhlodromus</i> population would eventually come back, because it only returns if cyclamen returns.

   11%
5. E

   Trap12% picked this

   In the treated plots, cyclamen mite populations would have reached significantly damaging levels more slowly, but would have remained at those levels

   Unsupported Comparison "slower to damage / longer at damaging levels" From the first paragraph we know that Unsupported Comparison "rapidly subdue the cyclamen populations, keeping them from reaching significant damage", and from the question stem we know that Pesticide X drastically slows down the cyclamens population growth. That's it. We can't rank the relative speed at with cyclamens would reach damaging levels, since both descriptions sound similar and sound as though cyclamens might not ever reach damaging levels. We're even less equipped to judge how long cyclamen populations would remain at damaging levels.

   12%