Reading Comprehension

PT124 · S4 · P4 · Q27 Cyclamen Mites

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Sometimes there is no more effective means of controlling an agricultural pest than giving free rein to its natural predators.

Central Topic

Controlling unwanted crop pests with natural predators vs. pesticides

Framework

Theme / Example

Main Point

Sometimes you'd get better results managing a crop pest population with a natural predator than with a pesticide, as is the case with cyclamen mites and their predator, Typhlodromus.

Passage Map

(P1) General idea. Introduction to specific example -- Sometimes letting natural predator control a crop pest is the best way. A case in point is cyclamen/tyhplo. (P2) Reasons typhlo is an effective way to control cyclamen (P3) Experimental support for effectiveness of typhlo (P4) Practical, in the field, support for effectiveness of typhlo

Other Commentary

On physical science passages that have visually challenging terms (like cyclamen, typhlodromus, parathion), it is very helpful for understanding and retention to re-brand those in much simpler terms.

As we pause to self-summarize, we want to be saying things like,

The second sentence of the passage reveals the purpose / main point of the passage, with the rhetorical phrase a case in point.

Just like when we see "for example", when we see "a case in point" we are becoming aware that the author cares enough about the previous idea to try to support it and flesh it out.

When you find a framing idea that the author wants to support, you should pause and re-read that framing idea until you've self-summarized it in easy language that you can understand and remember.

27.

Information in the passage most strongly supports which one of the following statements?

  1. Correct

    Strawberry crops can support populations

    Why this is right

    Appealingly weak wording -- "can". This seems supportable by the end of the first paragraph, where we learn that the T's keep the C's from reaching significantly damaging levels.

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

    60% picked this

  2. For control of cyclamen mites

    Too Strong: crucial

    We learn of several factors that make T's an effective predator of C's, but none of them are presented as being "crucial", and reproducing via the same mode of reproduction isn't even clearly one of those factors (being able to reproduce as quickly and reducing population growth in response to reductions of prey population are the factors clearly identified).

    9% picked this

  3. Factors that make Typhlodromus effective

    Out of Scope: other pests

    We only hear about cyclamen mites in this passage, no other strawberry pests.

    4% picked this

  4. When Typhlodromus is relied on

    Contradicted

    The end of the first paragraph says that cyclamen mites don't reach damaging levels until the second year.

    14% picked this

  5. Strawberry growers have unintentionally caused

    Out of Scope

    Out of Scope: serious crop pest Too Strong: indiscriminate use The author never sounds this alarmist or condemnatory. He just says that in the case of T's and C's, using parathion would do more harm than good to an agricultural enterprise.

    13% picked this

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