Question 139·Easy·Command of Evidence
Environmental scientists studying honeybee colonies housed on city rooftops hypothesize that small rooftop gardens supply enough floral diversity to keep the colonies healthy throughout the growing season, countering the common belief that only large, ground-level green spaces can do so.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the scientists’ hypothesis?
For “Which finding would most directly support the hypothesis?” questions, start by underlining the exact claim being tested (here: small rooftop gardens provide enough floral diversity to keep bees healthy, comparable to large parks). Then translate it into what evidence would look like—a specific, measurable comparison involving the key elements (rooftop vs. ground-level, floral diversity, bee health). Quickly scan answer choices and cross out any that only offer side details (like numbers over time, maintenance, or timing) rather than directly confirming that core claim. Choose the option that most clearly shows the hypothesis is true, usually by a direct comparison aligned with the wording of the hypothesis.
Hints
Locate the key claim in the hypothesis
Underline or note the parts of the hypothesis that mention what rooftop gardens are supposed to provide for bees, and what common belief they are challenging.
Focus on what must be measured or compared
Ask yourself: If I wanted to prove this hypothesis, what would I need to measure or compare between rooftop sites and large, ground-level green spaces (like parks)?
Eliminate answers that don’t mention bees’ resources or health
Look for choices that talk specifically about what bees are getting from flowers or how that might affect their health, and be wary of choices that only talk about watering, time trends, or blooming schedules.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the hypothesis in your own words
The scientists think that small rooftop gardens give bees enough different kinds of flowers (floral diversity) to keep colonies healthy for the whole growing season. This goes against the belief that only large ground-level green spaces (like big parks) can provide what bees need.
Determine what kind of evidence would support it
To support this hypothesis, the finding should:
- Involve rooftop gardens and bees.
- Show something about variety of plants/flowers (floral diversity) or colony health.
- Ideally compare rooftop conditions with large, ground-level green spaces (such as city parks) to show they are similarly good for bees.
Test each answer against the key idea
Go through each option and ask: Does this directly show that rooftop gardens provide enough floral diversity (or equivalent conditions) to keep bees healthy, similar to large parks?
- If it is about watering, citywide numbers, or flower timing only, it does not directly address floral diversity for bee health.
- The best choice will show that bees on rooftops have access to as many different plant species (or are as healthy) as bees in large ground-level green spaces.
Match the finding that directly supports the hypothesis
Option A says that pollen from rooftop hives contains as wide a variety of plant species as pollen from hives in nearby city parks. Because pollen reflects the range of flowers bees visit, this means rooftop gardens provide just as much floral diversity as large parks do, which directly supports the scientists’ hypothesis.
Correct answer: A) Pollen collected from rooftop hives contains as wide a variety of plant species as pollen collected from hives located in nearby city parks.