Question 82·Easy·Command of Evidence
Some ecologists argue that bees living in cities may have an advantage over their rural counterparts because the variety of plants grown in parks, gardens, and window boxes allows them to find food during more months of the year. According to these scientists, the diverse, season-long bloom of urban flowers leads to greater foraging success for city bees.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the ecologists’ claim?
For “Which finding would most directly support the claim?” questions, first restate the claim in simple terms and underline its key parts (such as who/what is being compared and on what basis). Then pick the choice that provides specific evidence—often a direct comparison or concrete observation—that matches those key parts, and eliminate choices that discuss related topics (like pollution or human behavior) without addressing the stated reason for the claim.
Hints
Focus on what the ecologists are claiming
Underline or note the reasons given in the passage: city bees may have an advantage because there are many types of plants and they can find food during more months of the year. Any supporting evidence should relate directly to these ideas.
Look for a comparison between urban and rural bees
Ask yourself: Which choice provides information that compares city bees and rural bees in terms of what plants they use or how long they can find food?
Ignore irrelevant details
Some options mention things like beekeeper behavior or pollution. Before picking an answer, check: Does this detail actually show that city bees get food from more kinds of plants or for more months of the year?
Match key words and ideas, not just topics
More than one choice may mention bees or cities, but only one will clearly connect to variety of plants and length of foraging season. Look for those specific concepts, not just general references to bees or locations.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the scientists’ claim in your own words
First, put the ecologists’ argument into simple language:
- City bees may have an advantage over rural bees.
- Why? Because cities have many different kinds of plants (parks, gardens, window boxes).
- This variety lets bees find food during more months of the year.
- As a result, there is greater foraging success (better food gathering) for city bees.
So, evidence should show that city bees actually get food from more types of plants and for a longer part of the year than rural bees.
Decide what kind of evidence would support the claim
To support a claim, an answer choice should give data or observations that match the key ideas in the claim.
Here, strong supporting evidence would:
- Compare urban vs. rural bees.
- Talk about what plants they visit or what pollen they collect.
- Show that city bees get food from more kinds of plants and/or for a longer time during the year.
Keep those specific elements in mind as you check each choice.
Eliminate choices that don’t match the claim
Go through the options and cross out ones that don’t address plant variety or length of foraging season:
- The beekeeper inspection choice is about human behavior, not bees’ access to a wider variety of plants or longer feeding time.
- The automobile exhaust choice is about pollution, not about plant diversity or how long bees can find food.
- The rural crop plots choice describes rural landscapes; it doesn’t show that city bees have more plant variety or a longer season.
These do not directly support the ecologists’ specific argument.
Choose the option that directly matches the claim
The choice stating that pollen from urban hives comes from more plant species and is collected over more months than pollen from rural hives directly supports the claim by matching both key ideas: greater plant variety and a longer foraging season.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Pollen from urban hives comes from more plant species and is collected over more months than pollen from rural hives.