Question 38·Medium·Command of Evidence
Partial List of Candidate Species for De-extinction
| Common name | Scientific name | Became extinct |
|---|---|---|
| Huia | Heteralocha acutirostris | 1907 |
| Caribbean monk seal | Monachus tropicalis | 1952 |
| Passenger pigeon | Ectopistes migratorius | 1914 |
| Saber-toothed cat | Smilodon | 11,000 years before present |
| Woolly mammoth | Mammuthus primigenius | 6,400 years before present |
The passage of time is among the many obstacles faced by scientists who are pursuing de-extinction efforts—that is, efforts to use breeding or a mixture of cloning and genetic engineering to bring back extinct species. Specifically, researchers are concerned that the longer a species has been extinct, the less likely it is that a suitable habitat still exists for that species. Among candidate species for de-extinction, this problem would be especially concerning for the ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to identify the species most affected by this problem?
For SAT Reading & Writing questions that combine a short explanation with a table or chart, first translate the key idea into a simple rule (here: “more time since extinction → bigger habitat problem”). Then scan the data source and identify which entry maximizes or minimizes the relevant number, depending on what the question asks. Always trust the information in the passage or table over any claims made inside the answer choices themselves, and avoid overthinking—just apply the rule directly to the numbers or dates given.
Hints
Connect the concept to a comparison
Focus on the sentence that explains the problem: "the longer a species has been extinct, the less likely it is that a suitable habitat still exists." What kind of comparison does this suggest you should make among the species?
Look carefully at the data in the table
Check the "Became extinct" column for each species. Which entries show extinctions measured in thousands of years, and which are only about a hundred years ago?
Compare the prehistoric species using only the table
Between the two species listed with "years before present," which number is larger? Ignore any statements inside the answer choices that conflict with the numbers in the table.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the question is really asking
The passage explains that the longer a species has been extinct, the less likely its habitat still exists.
When the question asks which candidate species the problem would be especially concerning for, it is really asking: Which species has been extinct for the longest time?
Use the table to find how long each species has been extinct
Look at the "Became extinct" column in the table:
- Huia: 1907
- Passenger pigeon: 1914
- Caribbean monk seal: 1952
- Saber-toothed cat: 11,000 years before present
- Woolly mammoth: 6,400 years before present
The three birds/mammal with specific years (1907, 1914, 1952) disappeared only about 100–120 years ago, which is much more recent than thousands of years. The two prehistoric animals (saber-toothed cat and woolly mammoth) have extinction times in thousands of years before present.
Identify which extinction happened the longest time ago
Now compare the two prehistoric animals, since they are much older extinctions than the others:
- Saber-toothed cat: 11,000 years before present
- Woolly mammoth: 6,400 years before present
11,000 is greater than 6,400, so the saber-toothed cat has been extinct for the longer time period.
Even though answer choice C claims that the woolly mammoth became extinct before the saber‑toothed cat, that statement contradicts the table, and on SAT questions you must trust the data provided.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) saber-toothed cat (Smilodon), which became extinct 11,000 years ago.