Question 105·Hard·Command of Evidence
Average Number of Offspring per Female for Four Cricket Species under Two Temperature and Two Diet Conditions
| Cricket species | High-protein diet, 23 °C | High-protein diet, 30 °C | Low-protein diet, 23 °C | Low-protein diet, 30 °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gryllus | 48 | 60 | 25 | 20 |
| Acheta | 52 | 40 | 28 | 15 |
| Teleogryllus | 30 | 42 | 18 | 22 |
| Anurogryllus | 65 | 80 | 40 | 38 |
Researchers investigating how temperature and diet quality affect reproduction in crickets concluded that the impact of elevated temperature on offspring production depends on both diet quality and species identity.
Which choice best describes data from the table that support the researchers’ conclusion?
For questions asking which data best support a conclusion, translate the conclusion into a checklist of what must be shown (here: a 23 °C vs 30 °C comparison whose result changes depending on both diet and species). Then scan the table to identify the broad pattern first, and choose the option that captures that exact pattern across conditions; avoid choices that cherry-pick one species or make a claim that’s only partly consistent with the table.
Hints
Focus on what the conclusion requires
The conclusion says the impact of temperature depends on both diet quality and species identity. Look for a choice that uses evidence from both diets and multiple species.
Check direction of change under the high-protein diet
For each species, compare the high-protein values at 23 °C and 30 °C and note whether offspring counts go up or down.
Check direction of change under the low-protein diet
Repeat the same 23 °C vs 30 °C comparison for the low-protein values, and see whether the pattern matches or reverses.
Pick the best summary of the overall pattern
Prefer the option that summarizes the pattern across both diets and several species, not a statement focused on one species or one diet.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what kind of evidence the conclusion needs
The researchers claim that the effect of higher temperature on offspring production depends on both:
- diet quality (high vs low protein), and
- species identity.
So the best supporting description should compare 23 °C vs 30 °C under each diet, across multiple species, and show that the temperature effect is not the same in all cases.
Compare 23 °C vs 30 °C on the high-protein diet
From the high-protein columns:
- Gryllus: 48 → 60 (up)
- Acheta: 52 → 40 (down)
- Teleogryllus: 30 → 42 (up)
- Anurogryllus: 65 → 80 (up)
So, at high protein, temperature increase makes offspring go up for 3 species and down for 1 species.
Compare 23 °C vs 30 °C on the low-protein diet
From the low-protein columns:
- Gryllus: 25 → 20 (down)
- Acheta: 28 → 15 (down)
- Teleogryllus: 18 → 22 (up)
- Anurogryllus: 40 → 38 (down)
So, at low protein, temperature increase makes offspring go down for 3 species and up for 1 species.
Choose the option that matches this interaction pattern
The statement that matches these two comparisons is:
When temperature rose from 23 °C to 30 °C, offspring counts rose for 3 of the 4 species on the high-protein diet but fell for 3 of the 4 species on the low-protein diet.