Set 1: Command of Evidence
Explanation
PASSAGE
Researchers claim that the honeybee population in a specific valley is declining due to a loss of floral diversity. To support this, they observed that in areas with monoculture farming (single crops), bee colonies were 40% smaller compared to areas with diverse wildflower meadows.
Which finding, if true, would most directly strengthen the researchers' claim?
Detailed Explanation
This question requires you to identify evidence that supports a claim. The claim is that *loss of floral diversity* is causing the decline. If bees in monoculture (low diversity) areas are malnourished, it provides a direct biological mechanism linking low diversity to poor health/population decline, thus strengthening the claim. The best evidence directly and explicitly supports the stated claim without requiring assumptions. Match specific textual details or data points to the claim being made. The correct answer provides clear, direct support. Strong evidence directly addresses the claim without requiring additional interpretation. When evaluating options, look for quotes or data that explicitly support the statement. Weak evidence may be tangentially related but doesn't provide direct proof.
Key Evidence:
• "loss of floral diversity"
• "monoculture farming"
• "colonies were 40% smaller"
Why others are wrong: A (This simply describes bee behavior and doesn't link diversity to population decline.), B (This would suggest pesticides are NOT the cause, but doesn't prove diversity IS the cause.), D (Constant hive numbers might weaken the claim that the population is declining.).