Question 157·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Ecologist Daniel Torres contends that the remarkable success of peregrine falcons in many large cities stems chiefly from their physiological adaptability to extreme temperature fluctuations. According to Torres, urban falcons have, over recent generations, developed noticeably thicker plumage that insulates them from the heat radiated by glass and concrete structures.
Text 2
Wildlife biologist Mei Chen disputes the view that any anatomical change has occurred in urban peregrine falcons. Chen notes that studies comparing feather mass in urban and rural falcon populations show no significant difference. She argues instead that the density of prey species such as pigeons, combined with an abundance of tall ledges suitable for nesting, best explains the birds’ thriving numbers in cities.
Based on the texts, how would Chen most likely respond to Torres’s claim about thicker plumage in urban peregrine falcons?
For cross-text questions, first summarize each author’s main claim in a few words (e.g., “Torres: physical adaptation,” “Chen: no physical change, environment”). Then focus on how the second author responds to the first: do they agree, disagree, or offer an alternative explanation? Finally, eliminate answer choices that (1) misrepresent either text, (2) add new ideas not mentioned, or (3) ignore the specific disagreement; select the choice that most directly captures both the disagreement and the alternative explanation given in the second text.
Hints
Locate Torres’s main point
In Text 1, what specific physical change in the falcons does Torres say explains their success in cities?
Check whether Chen accepts that point
In Text 2, does Chen believe that urban falcons’ bodies have changed compared with rural falcons? Look closely at what she says about anatomical change and feather mass.
Find Chen’s preferred explanation
According to Chen, what two main city features explain why falcons are thriving in urban areas?
Compare each option to Chen’s view
For each answer choice, ask: Does this match what Chen says about anatomical changes, and does it use the explanation she actually gives in Text 2?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand Torres’s claim in Text 1
Focus on what Torres says is the main reason urban peregrine falcons do well:
- He says their success "stems chiefly from their physiological adaptability."
- Specifically, he claims they have "developed noticeably thicker plumage" that insulates them from heat. So Torres’s key idea is: thicker plumage (a physical change) explains their success in cities.
See how Chen responds to anatomical changes
Now look at Chen in Text 2:
- She "disputes the view that any anatomical change has occurred in urban peregrine falcons."
- She cites studies showing "no significant difference" in feather mass between urban and rural falcons. This means Chen does not accept the claim that urban falcons have thicker plumage or any new physical adaptation.
Identify Chen’s alternative explanation
Chen offers a different reason for the falcons’ success:
- She argues that the density of prey species (like pigeons) and an abundance of tall ledges suitable for nesting best explain their thriving numbers. So Chen replaces an anatomical explanation (thicker plumage) with an environmental explanation (prey and nesting sites).
Match Chen’s view to the answer choices
Eliminate any choices where Chen would agree that thicker plumage is important or where she makes claims not supported by Text 2. The only choice that both rejects thicker plumage as the cause and highlights prey and nesting sites instead is:
D) She would argue that the plentiful prey and nesting sites in cities, not thicker plumage, account for the falcons’ success.