Question 38·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
For decades, scientists believed that monarch butterflies in the eastern United States migrated exclusively to the mountains of central Mexico to overwinter. However, recent tracking data reveal that a small but significant number of these butterflies spend the winter along the Gulf Coast, sheltered in coastal forests. The researchers attribute this shift to the expansion of ornamental gardens that provide the butterflies with food plants year-round. While the population overwintering in Mexico remains large, the discovery indicates that monarch migration routes are more flexible than previously assumed.
According to the passage, what have recent tracking data revealed about some monarch butterflies?
For detail questions that ask “According to the passage…,” go straight back to the text and locate the exact phrase or sentence that answers the question (here, the one containing “recent tracking data reveal”). Underline or mentally note the key idea, quickly paraphrase it in your own words, and then choose the option that best matches that wording. Immediately eliminate any answer choices that introduce new topics, exaggerate (using words like “exclusively” or “significantly higher” when those aren’t in the passage), or contradict what the sentence actually says.
Hints
Find the part about tracking data
Scan the passage for the phrase “recent tracking data reveal” and focus on the sentence that follows it.
Focus on what is revealed
Ask yourself: What new information do these tracking data show about the butterflies? Pay attention to any mention of where they spend the winter.
Watch out for extra ideas
Check each answer choice against the exact sentence about the tracking data. Eliminate any choices that introduce topics like predators, stopping migration, or “exclusive” dependence on certain plants, since these are not directly stated in that sentence.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the question is asking
The question asks: “According to the passage, what have recent tracking data revealed about some monarch butterflies?” This is a detail question. You must find exactly what the passage says the tracking data reveal and match it to an answer choice.
Locate the key sentence in the passage
Find the part of the passage that mentions “recent tracking data.” The sentence is:
“However, recent tracking data reveal that a small but significant number of these butterflies spend the winter along the Gulf Coast, sheltered in coastal forests.”
This sentence directly answers what the tracking data revealed.
Paraphrase the relevant information
Put that key sentence into your own words: the data show that some monarchs (a small but significant number) are spending winter along the Gulf Coast, not only in the usual central Mexico location.
Compare each answer choice to the passage
Now, match this paraphrase to the options:
- Look for a choice that says some monarchs are spending winter along the Gulf Coast as an alternative to central Mexico.
- Eliminate options that talk about predation, not migrating at all, or relying exclusively on certain plants in central Mexico, since those ideas are not stated in the sentence about tracking data.
The only answer that directly restates the detail about where some butterflies now spend the winter is: They spend the winter along the Gulf Coast instead of in central Mexico.