Question

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the hypothesis mentioned in lines of the passage indicated by : (**)?

• A. Researchers are able to train anteaters to break into an underground chamber that is emitting a strong electrical signal.
• B. Researchers are able to detect a weak electrical signal emanating from the nesting chamber of an ant colony
• C. Anteaters are observed taking increasingly longer amounts of time to locate the nesting chambers of ants.
• D. Anteaters are observed using the same angle used with nests of ants to break into the nests of other types of prey.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Researchers are able to detect a weak electrical signal emanating from the nesting chamber of an ant colony

The best answer is B. The researchers’ hypothesis is “that anteaters use electroreceptors to detect electrical signals given off by prey.” Evidence that electrical signals emanate from the nesting chamber of an ant colony-on which anteaters are known to prey-would strengthen the hypothesis.
Choice C may actually weaken the hypothesis: the passage implies that the rapidity with which anteaters were able to locate ants’ nesting chambers suggested to researchers that anteaters were using electroreceptors to locate prey.
Choice A and D provide evidence that does not strengthen the hypothesis.