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GreBible's GRE Success Guide - 3 Reading Comprehension
In strongly territorial birds such as the indigo bunting, song is the main mechanism for securing, defining, and defending an adequate breeding are. When population density is high, only the strongest males can retain a suitable area. The weakest males do not breed or are forced to nest on poor or marginal territories.
During the breeding season, the male indigo bunting sings in his territory; each song lasts two or three seconds with a very short pause between songs, Melodic and rhythmic characteristics are produced by rapid changes in sound frequency and some regularity of silent periods between sounds. These modulated sounds form recognizable units, called figures, each of which is reproduced again and again with remarkable consistency. Despite the large frequency range of these sounds and the rapid frequency changes that the birds makes, the n umber of figures is very limited. Further, although we found some unique figures in different geographical populations, more than 90 percent of all Indigo bunting figures are extremely stable on the geographic basis . In our studies of isolated buntings we found that male indigo buntings are capable of singing many more types of figures than they usually do. Thus, it would seem that they copy their figures from other buntings they hear signing.
Realizing that the ability to distinguish the songs of one species from those of another could be an important factor in the volition of the figures, we tested species recognition of a song. When we played a tape recording of a lazuli bunting or a painted bunting, male indigo bunting did not respond; Even when a dummy of male indigo bunting was placed near the tape recorder. Playing an indigo bunting song, however, usually brought an immediate response, making it clear that a male indigo bunting can readily distinguished songs of its own species from those of other species.
The role of the songs figures in interspecies recognition was then examined. We created experimental songs composed of new figures by playing a normal song backwards, which changed the detailed forms of the figures without altering frequency ranges or gross temporal features. Since the male indigos gave almost a full response to the backward song, we concluded that a wide range of figures shapes can evoke positive responses. It seems likely, therefore, that a specific configuration is not essential for interspecies recognition, but it is clear that song figures must confirm to a particular frequency range, must be within narrow limits of duration, and must be spaced at particular intervals.
There is evident that new figures may arise within a population through a slow process of change and selection. This variety is probably a valuable adaptation for survival: if every bird sang only a few types of figures, in dense woods or underbrush a female might have difficulty recognizing her mate’s song and a male might not be able to distinguished a neighbor from a stranger. Our studies led us to conclude that there must be a balance between song stability and conservatism, which lead to clear-cut species recognition, and song variation, which leads to individual recognition.
1. The primary purpose of passage is to
A) raise new issues
B) explain an enigma
C) refute misconceptions
D) reconcile differing theories
E) analyze a phenomenon
Explanation: The best answer is E. When asked to identify the primary purpose of a passage, you should select the answer choice that states what the passage as a choice achieves. The passage is primarily a discussion of a natural phenomenon, the song of the male indigo bunting. This discussion focuses on the components, form, and function of the song. Such a discussion can correctly be called an analysis, and E presents such a choice. Thee is no evidence in the passage that suggests that the issues presented are new (choice A(, or that any of the matters discussed are enigmas or misconceptions (choices B and C). The discussion is not primarily a presentation of theory but of empirical evidence and observed phenomena; thus, choice D is not correct.
2. According to the passage, which of the following is true about the number and general nature of figures sung by the indigo bunting?
A) They are established at birth
B) They evolve slowly as the bird learns
C) They are learned from other indigo buntings.
D) They develop after the bird has been forced onto marginal breeding areas.
E) The gradually develop through contact with prospective mates
Explanation: The best answer is C. To answer this question, you should examine each of the choices to determine which makes an accurate statement, based on evidence in the passage, about the number and general nature of the figures sung by the indigo bunting. In the second paragraph, the author concludes that male indigo buntings, a fact that explains why the number and general nature of figures remain limited. Thus, choice C is true and is the intended answer. The other choices are plausible statements, but they are not asserted in the passage.
3. It can be inferred that the investigation that determined the similarly among more than 90 percent of all the figures produced by birds living in different regions was undertaken to answer which of the following questions?
I. How much variations, if any, is there in the figure types produced by indigo buntings in different locales?
II. Do local populations of indigo buntings develop their own dialects of figure types?
III. Do figure similarities among indigo buntings decline with increasing geographic separation?
A) II only
B) III only
C) I and II only
D) II and III only
E) I, II and III
Explanation: The best answer is E. The format of this question requires you to evaluate each of the questions designated with roman numerals separately and carefully. In this question, you must infer from the passage what information the investigation discussed in the second paragraph was designed to obtain. According to the passage, the investigation yielded information that permitted researchers to draw conclusions about variation in figure types, about unique figures among birds, and about the effects of increasing geographic separation. The second paragraph describes some of the strategies used by the investigators to obtain precisely this information. I, II, and III are all questions that the investigators set out to explore, and E is the correct answer.
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the existence of only a limited number of indigo bunting figures servers primarily to
A) ensure species survival by increasing competition among the fittest males for the females
B) increase population density by eliminating ambiguity in the figures to which the females must respond
C) maintain the integrity of the species by restricting the degree of figure variation and change
D) enhance species recognition by decreasing the number of figure patterns to which the bird must respond
E) avoid confusion between species by clearly demarcating the figure patterns of each specials
Explanation: The best answer is D. This question requires you to determine why the number of indigo bunting figures is as limited as it is. In order to make this determination, it is necessary to consider several facts presented in the passage and their relationship to each other. The third paragraph indicates that the songs serve as a means of recognition for members of the same species. The fourth paragraph discusses the strict limitations on the ways in which figures are produced. The last paragraph indicates that ‘song stability and conservatism,” that is, limits to the n umbers of figures and variations, are essential for clear-out species recognition. Choice D is a statement of that idea. |
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