Q20

[callmejinny]

Hi, I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help me with this question.

I chose (C) because it seemed flawless (literally, there was nothing vague or debatable about this answer choice), but while I am reviewing, I would like to know why (A) "the function of the summer generation's dimorphism" and (E) "the functional adjustment of water bugs in response to seasonal temperature variation" would clearly not be the right answer.

As for (A), I would think the laboratory experiment is added to explain "the function (how it works) of the summer generation's dimorphism" since that is the overarching point of the last paragraph?
And as for (E), although for some reason not very appealing an answer, I could say because the eggs of the overwintering generation form their eggs in two different seasons (autumn and spring), the laboratory experiment is written to explain how these waterbugs adapt to seasonal temperature variations.


I'm learning alot from these posts. If someone could clarify this one for me as well, it will be much appreciated!

[maryadkins]

"The function of the dimorphism" refers to WHY some have wings and WHY some don't. This portion of the passage isn't discussing why it is advantageous for some to wings and others not to. This is discussed in lines 30-40: the summer generation doesn't need developed wings. This is why (A) is wrong.

(E) is about a functional adjustment, which this isn't. This is a developmental adjustment.

As for (B) and (D), (B) brings in irreversibility and that's not the point being made here. (D) is too general since the morphological difference has already been discussed, and here, the issue is about how temperature affects that difference.

[callmejinny]

"The function of the dimorphism" refers to WHY some have wings and WHY some don't. This portion of the passage isn't discussing why it is advantageous for some to wings and others not to. This is discussed in lines 30-40: the summer generation doesn't need developed wings. This is why (A) is wrong.

(E) is about a functional adjustment, which this isn't. This is a developmental adjustment.

As for (B) and (D), (B) brings in irreversibility and that's not the point being made here. (D) is too general since the morphological difference has already been discussed, and here, the issue is about how temperature affects that difference.

Thank you, maryadkins!
Especially with why (A) isn't the correct one.