PT153 S3 Q4 ExplanationThe coat patterns of large cat species

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Correct86% picked this

   Unlike all other large cat species, cheetahs? hunting strategy does not rely on stealth but instead

   Why this is right

   This gives us the needed distinction that makes the cheetah seem like "the only anomaly". It is unlike all other large cat species. If it relies on speed to catch its prey, then it doesn't need a coat that matches its habitat in order to stealthily hide in the tall grass until the prey gets close enough.

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

   86%
2. B

   Deepens the Paradox1% picked this

   Of all the large cat species, cheetahs most often have their prey stolen from them

   The fact that other animals steal their caught prey from them shows a reason why a cheetah would love to be camouflaged and blend in. Thus it deepens our surprise that a cheetah's coat does not allow it to blend into its surroundings.

   1%
3. C

   No Impact / Explains Background11% picked this

   Because they have wide paws with semiretractable claws, cheetahs are not able to

   This explains the background fact that cheetahs aren't evolved to live in trees. They've evolved to live in the open savannah (they don't have the hardware to climb trees). But if they're not evolved for trees and are evolved for the savannah, then how come their coat doesn't match the plain coloring of the savannah, as it does for lions?

   11%
4. D

   Unclear Impact2% picked this

   Unlike lions, cheetahs are typically solitary

   It's not clear how we would get from "cheetah hunts alone" to "cheetah doesn't need its coat to match its surroundings for the sake of camouflage". That latter trait doesn't seem to be connected in any common sense way to whether you hunt alone or in packs.

   2%
5. E

   Unclear Impact0% picked this

   Unlike all other large cat species, cheetahs are unable

   It's not clear how we would get from "cheetah can't roar" to "cheetah doesn't need its coat to match its surroundings for the sake of camouflage". That latter trait doesn't seem to be connected in any common sense way to whether you can roar or not.

   0%