Question 139·Hard·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
A 2015 study led by Geraldine Wright tracked honeybee visits to Coffea plants whose nectar naturally contains traces of caffeine. After a single visit, marked bees returned to the caffeinated flowers far more often than to control flowers that had identical sugar concentrations but no caffeine. The researchers concluded that caffeine sharpened the bees’ memory of a flower’s scent, thereby increasing the plant’s chances of being pollinated.
Text 2
In 2020, Sasha Tully and colleagues examined how nicotine in the nectar of certain Nicotiana species affects bumblebees infected with a common gut parasite. Low nicotine doses reduced parasite loads while leaving foraging behavior unchanged, but higher doses caused the bees to avoid those flowers. Tully’s team suggested that the alkaloid evolved chiefly as a defense against herbivores, yet at moderate levels it incidentally benefits pollinators.
Considering both texts, which statement would the researchers of the two studies most likely agree with?
For cross-text connection questions, summarize each text in one clause, then look for the broadest statement that both texts support without adding assumptions. Eliminate choices that (1) contradict any explicit claim (especially about primary purpose), (2) hinge on a detail that appears in only one text, or (3) use absolute language like "only" or "primarily" that the texts don’t justify.
Hints
First, separate what each text is about
Before looking at the choices, note what Text 1 shows about caffeine and pollinators, and what Text 2 shows about nicotine, pollinators, and herbivores.
Look for overlap, not just difference
Ask: what general statement could both research teams reasonably agree with based on their findings (without adding new claims)?
Track what each study says is the main function
Text 2 explicitly states what nicotine evolved chiefly to do. Any choice that contradicts that is likely wrong.
Beware of claims that are too narrow or apply to only one text
Eliminate choices that make the agreement depend on a detail present in only one text (for example, infection status or memory effects).
Step-by-step Explanation
Summarize what each text shows
Text 1 (Wright): Caffeine in Coffea nectar makes bees return more often, because it sharpens their memory of the flower’s scent. This benefits the plant by increasing pollination and shows a positive effect on pollinator behavior.
Text 2 (Tully): Nicotine in Nicotiana nectar has different effects depending on dose:
- At low doses, it reduces parasite loads in bees and does not change foraging behavior.
- At higher doses, bees avoid those flowers.
- The researchers suggest nicotine evolved chiefly as a defense against herbivores, yet at moderate levels it incidentally benefits pollinators.
Identify the idea that connects both texts
To answer a cross-text agreement question, look for a statement that can be supported when you combine the findings:
- Text 1 supports that a nectar chemical can benefit pollinators (improved memory and more return visits).
- Text 2 supports that a nectar chemical can function as plant defense against herbivores while also benefiting pollinators at certain concentrations.
So, the best combined claim is that nectar chemicals can have more than one role, including defense and pollinator benefits at moderate levels.
Test each answer against both texts
Evaluate each option against what both texts actually say:
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Choice A: Claims the primary purpose of these compounds is to manipulate pollinators. That might sound consistent with Text 1, but Text 2 explicitly says nicotine evolved chiefly as a defense against herbivores, not primarily to manipulate pollinators.
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Choice B: Says these compounds benefit pollinators only when the insects are sick or infected. Text 2 does involve infected bumblebees, but Text 1 describes improved memory and return visits after exposure to caffeine and does not limit the effect to diseased bees.
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Choice C: Says these compounds evolved chiefly to improve pollinator learning and memory. Text 1 mentions memory effects for caffeine, but Text 2 attributes nicotine’s evolution chiefly to herbivore defense, and its benefit to bees is described as reduced parasite load (not improved memory).
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Choice D: Matches Text 2 directly (defense against herbivores + incidental pollinator benefits at moderate levels) and is consistent with Text 1’s finding that a nectar compound can benefit pollinators.
Therefore, the best answer is:
Certain chemical compounds in nectar can simultaneously deter herbivores and, at moderate concentrations, offer advantages to pollinators.