Q25

[kimht90]

Hi, I hope this question does grab any one of your attention even though the lastest response posted here was 2 years ago!

I'm stuck between answer choice A and B. Isn't the introductory paragraph discussing the difference between fruit flies and nematodes in terms of early polarity formation? And you see that in the subsequent paragraph, a in-depth discussion of the said difference takes place. So I'm having a hard time eliminating answer choice B because it does look as though the second paragraph's function is to elaborate on the differences between embryonic formation metioned earlier.

Your help is greatly appreciated in advance! Help!

[ohthatpatrick]

Yeah, this is a pretty close fight.

As you typed, the first paragraph is discussing differences between fruit flies, nematodes, and mammals in terms of polarity formation.

But (B) is talking about the differences in 'embryonic formation'. Polarity formation is definitely an aspect of polarity formation (you have to know your back from your front to form an embryo), but differences in 'embryonic formation' is definitely broader than the specific details/purpose of the second paragraph.

So that's already one way in which A beats B; A is more specific to the topic of establishing polarity.

The second big difference between them is whether to use the broader "organisms" or the more limited "fruit fly vs. nematode". Well, in both the first and second paragraph, the author brings up fruit flies, nematodes, and mammals, so (A) captures more of the truth by using the broader category.

We tend to fall in love with choices like (B) because "elaborate on the differences" is such a promising start to the answer. The test writers know this; they often pair up ideal 1st halves with broken/inaccurate 2nd halves. Meanwhile, the correct answer uses a phrasing we might not have anticipated.

So, long story short, what (B) says is true, but not the best answer to the question. Its topic is too general "embryonic vs. polarity formation" and its breadth is too narrow "fruit fly / nematode vs. various organisms".

Hope this helps.

[kimht90]

Thank you so much Patrick! Your explanation makes sense and is very easy to understand where I went wrong. I also find it amusing that the attractive answer choice (B) is a great example of how the LSAC incorporates both narrow scope and broader scope in one of the incorrect choices. Gotta watch out. Thanks again!!!!!!

[Dtodaizzle]

That was a great explanation Patrick! (Or is it the other Patrick?) But I think that you meant to write "Polarity formation is an aspect of embryonic formation."

[tommywallach]

He usually does.