Question 164·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
Scientists have recently intensified their search for novel medical treatments in the world’s rainforests. One focus is the diverse fungi that inhabit decomposing wood and leaf litter. Laboratory tests reveal that many of these fungi produce compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria resistant to existing drugs. As infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria become more common, researchers argue that identifying new antibiotics has become urgent. Because rainforest fungi have evolved in highly competitive environments, scientists believe they are especially likely to synthesize powerful antibacterial chemicals.
According to the text, why are rainforest fungi considered promising sources of new antibiotics?
For "According to the text" questions, go straight to the part of the passage that directly answers the question—often near key words repeated from the question (here, "rainforest fungi" and the idea of why they are promising). Underline or mentally note the sentence that gives a cause or explanation, paraphrase it in simple language, and then choose the answer that matches that idea without adding new information. Quickly eliminate any option that introduces details not mentioned in the passage, even if they sound scientifically reasonable.
Hints
Focus on the type of question
The question says "According to the text", so the answer must be explicitly supported by a specific sentence in the passage, not by outside knowledge or guesses.
Find where the passage gives a reason
Look for where the passage explains why scientists think rainforest fungi are especially promising—pay attention to sentences that start with words like "Because" or that give a cause-and-effect explanation.
Check each option against the passage
For each answer choice, ask: Does the passage actually say this? Eliminate any choice that introduces new information (about food, nutrients, or lab cultivation) that you do not see in the text.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the question is asking
The question asks: According to the text, why are rainforest fungi considered promising sources of new antibiotics? This is a detail question, so the answer must be directly stated in the passage, not just something that seems generally reasonable.
Locate the key part of the passage
Look for the sentence that explains why scientists see rainforest fungi as especially good candidates. The final sentence starts with "Because rainforest fungi have evolved..." and ends with "...they are especially likely to synthesize powerful antibacterial chemicals." This sentence is clearly giving the reason (the "because") and the result ("especially likely to synthesize powerful antibacterial chemicals").
Paraphrase the key idea in your own words
Put that last sentence into simpler language: the fungi live in very competitive environments in the rainforest. To survive there, they have developed or evolved the ability to make very strong chemicals that can kill or stop bacteria. That is why they are seen as promising sources of new antibiotics.
Match the paraphrase to the answer choices
Now compare this idea to the choices:
- The passage does not say they are easier to grow in labs.
- It does not say local communities use them as food flavorings.
- It does not mention nutrients or boosting the immune system.
- Only choice D) They have evolved in competitive environments that encourage the production of strong antibacterial compounds. restates the reason given in the final sentence.
So the correct answer is D) They have evolved in competitive environments that encourage the production of strong antibacterial compounds.