Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: Based on molecular…
2023
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Based on molecular evidence, we know life evolved from one common ancestor around three billion years ago. From then, evolution progressed, slowly to begin with—in the last billion years, we see very rapid diversification of life forms on Earth as multiple components clicked into place, including multicellularity or multiple cells coming together to form one organism, etc. Against this backdrop, we find all insects share a relationship with each other—they have a certain body plan, cellular functions, genetically encoded features (many have six legs, for instance) and the information of how these features are formed encoded in their genome. Butterflies share many evolutionary features with insects. Butterflies are also specialised moths, the two separating from their sister group of insects 150 to 200 million years ago. Thereafter, moths themselves evolved significantly before butterflies emerged as a separate group about 85 million years ago, around when dinosaurs went extinct. All the characteristics butterflies have—including much more acute vision compared to moths who rely more on smell—grew thereon. Visual cues are extremely important for butterflies which explains why many are so attractive. Their appealing colours evolved to help them either evade predators or attract mates, dark colours developing to help butterflies maintain body temperature, being cold-blooded. Some species developed fascinating traits. Aposematism is a combination of two features—one is a defence against predators, like a chemical cover, some butterflies being toxic to birds, spiders, etc. These caterpillars feed on toxic plants which are difficult, if not deadly, for predators to digest. Being protected thus is an internal property—but butterflies with toxins then developed bright wing patterns to show predators they are dangerous, signalling the risk they bear.
Compared to moths, butterflies
A. Have better vision
B. Rely more on smelling power
C. Are less attractive
D. Are more colorful
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: C. A and D only — ConceptIn a passage-based comparison question, classify each claim only by explicit or directly supported textual evidence. Keep the two compared subjects…
- A.
A and C only
- B.
B, C and D only
- C.
A and D only
- D.
A, C and D only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In a passage-based comparison question, classify each claim only by explicit or directly supported textual evidence. Keep the two compared subjects separate and check every claim in a combination; one unsupported claim invalidates the whole combination.
Application
The passage says butterflies have much more acute vision than moths, while moths rely more on smell. Thus ‘Have better vision’ is supported and ‘Rely more on smelling power’ is not.
The passage says visual cues explain why many butterflies are attractive. Thus ‘Are less attractive’ is not supported by the intended comparison.
The passage does not use a standalone sentence saying butterflies are ‘more colourful than moths.’ In the comparison, however, it moves from moths’ reliance on smell to butterflies’ visual cues, appealing colours, and bright wing patterns; this is the intended contextual support for ‘Are more colorful.’
Cross-check and contrast
Better vision plus lesser attractiveness: the lesser-attractiveness claim is unsupported by the intended passage evidence.
Greater smell-reliance, lesser attractiveness, and greater colourfulness: the smell-reliance claim is assigned to moths, while the lesser-attractiveness claim is unsupported by the intended comparison.
Better vision plus greater colourfulness: the first claim is explicit, while the second is the exam’s contextual inference from butterfly visual signalling and colour.
Better vision, lesser attractiveness, and greater colourfulness: the lesser-attractiveness claim is unsupported by the intended passage evidence.
As an independent cross-check, the NTA final answer key for Question ID 22742718760 accepts the combination ‘Have better vision’ and ‘Are more colorful.’
Result
Thus the accepted combination is ‘Have better vision’ and ‘Are more colorful.’