Martin Dančák, Wewin Tjiasmanto, and colleagues have identified a new carnivorous plant species (Nepenthes pudica) in Indonesia. Like other carnivorou...
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Martin Dančák, Wewin Tjiasmanto, and colleagues have identified a new carnivorous plant species (Nepenthes pudica) in Indonesia. Like other carnivorous plants, N. pudica has pitfall traps, or pitchers, that capture prey, but unlike others, the pitchers of N. pudica are located underground. The researchers unearthed the new species on fairly dry ridges with surfaces that host few other plants and animals. Therefore, the researchers hypothesize that the N. pudica species likely ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A
represents one of many undiscovered carnivorous plant species in the region.
B
formed pitchers early in development to absorb more moisture.
C
is buried by nearby animals as they forage along the ridges for food.
D
evolved to have underground traps to access more prey than would surface traps.
Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Martin Dančák, Wewin Tjiasmanto, and colleagues have identified a new carnivorous plant species (Nepenthes pudica) in Indonesia." |
|
| "Like other carnivorous plants, N. pudica has pitfall traps, or pitchers, that capture prey," |
|
| "but unlike others, the pitchers of N. pudica are located underground." |
|
| "The researchers unearthed the new species on fairly dry ridges with surfaces that host few other plants and animals." |
|
| "Therefore, the researchers hypothesize that the N. pudica species likely ______" |
|
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key insight is that if the surface has few organisms (limited prey above ground), then having underground traps might give the plant access to a different prey source below ground
- This would be an evolutionary advantage that explains why this unusual adaptation developed
Answer Choices Explained
A
represents one of many undiscovered carnivorous plant species in the region.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests N. pudica represents broader undiscovered diversity in the region
- The passage gives us no information about other undiscovered species or regional biodiversity patterns
B
formed pitchers early in development to absorb more moisture.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on moisture absorption and early development timing
- While the ridges are described as "dry," the passage discusses prey capture, not water absorption
C
is buried by nearby animals as they forage along the ridges for food.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests animals bury the plant while foraging
- The passage says the ridges have "few other plants and animals," so there wouldn't be much animal activity
D
evolved to have underground traps to access more prey than would surface traps.
✓ Correct
- This directly connects the underground trap location to accessing more prey
- Makes perfect sense: if the surface has few organisms (as stated), underground traps could access soil-dwelling prey that surface traps couldn't reach
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