Command of evidence: textual
Example:
A team of researchers has proposed that the sail-like structure running down the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus played a crucial role in its ability to hunt underwater. To evaluate this hypothesis, a second team of researchers conducted a series of experiments using mechanical models of Spinosaurus, some with a sail and some without, in a water-filled tank. The researchers observed the behavior of these models and recorded various parameters to determine the potential advantages conferred by the sail-like structure.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support Gimsa and colleagues’ hypothesis?
A. The model with a sail took significantly longer to travel a specified distance while submerged than the model without a sail did.
B. The model with a sail displaced significantly more water while submerged than the model without a sail did.
C. The model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after completing the tests than the model without a sail did.
D. The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did.
Exercises:
1. Researchers hypothesized that the large ears of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) play a role in thermoregulation. To test this hypothesis, a team of scientists constructed two robotic models of elephants, one with large ears and one with small ears, and observed their behavior in a controlled environment.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support the researchers' hypothesis?
A. The model with large ears displayed significantly lower body temperature under simulated hot conditions compared to the model with small ears.
B. The model with large ears consumed significantly more water compared to the model with small ears under identical conditions.
C. The model with large ears showed significantly slower movement compared to the model with small ears in a simulated hot environment.
D. The model with large ears demonstrated significantly higher aggression towards simulated predators compared to the model with small ears.
2. Scientists have proposed that the elaborate frill of the dinosaur Triceratops served as a display structure during courtship rituals and intraspecific communication. To evaluate this hypothesis, a team of researchers constructed two robotic models of Triceratops, one with a frill and one without, and observed their behavior in a controlled environment.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support the researchers' hypothesis?
A. The model with a frill attracted significantly more mates compared to the model without a frill.
B. The model with a frill displayed significantly more aggressive behavior towards rivals compared to the model without a frill.
C. The model with a frill showed significantly slower movement compared to the model without a frill during courtship displays.
D. The model with a frill emitted significantly louder vocalizations compared to the model without a frill during intraspecific communication.
3. Paleontologists have suggested that the long tail of the dinosaur Stegosaurus played a role in balance and agility.
To test this hypothesis, a team of researchers constructed two robotic models of Stegosaurus, one with a long tail and one with a shortened tail, and observed their movement in a controlled environment.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support the researchers' hypothesis?
A. The model with a long tail demonstrated significantly higher agility while navigating obstacles compared to the model with a shortened tail.
B. The model with a long tail displayed significantly higher levels of aggression towards simulated predators compared to the model with a shortened tail.
C. The model with a long tail showed significantly slower movement compared to the model with a shortened tail during rapid changes in direction.
D. The model with a long tail demonstrated significantly higher energy expenditure compared to the model with a shortened tail during locomotion.