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Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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Updated on: 05 Nov 2023, 09:55
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Experts have differed about where the genus Varanus (monitor lizards) originated. Because most existing species live in Australia, early researchers concluded that Varanus originated in Australia and subsequently island hopped westward along the Indo-Australian archipelago. Herpetologist Robert Mertens later argued that Varanus probably originated in the archipelago. Chromosomal analysis has since supported Mertens’ contention, and in addition, geologic evidence points to a collision between the archipelago and the Australian landmass after Varanus evolved—a fact that could account for the genus’ present distribution.
A related puzzle for scientists is the present distribution of Varanus’ largest surviving species, the Komodo dragon. These carnivores live only on four small islands in the archipelago where, scientists note, the prey base is too small to support mammalian carnivores. But the Komodo dragon has recently been shown to manage body temperature much more efficiently than do mammalian carnivores, enabling it to survive on about a tenth of the food energy required by a mammalian carnivore of comparable size.
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60% (02:40) correct
40% (02:58) wrong based on 77 sessions
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It can be inferred from the passage that the geographical distribution of the Komodo dragon is
A) currently less restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus B) currently more restricted than it was at the time researchers first began investigating the origins of the genus Varanus C) less restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole D) more restricted than is the distribution of the genus Varanus as a whole E) viewed as evidence in favor of the hypothesis that the genus Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago
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31% (01:27) correct
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Which of the following elements in the debate over the origin of Varanus is NOT provided in the passage?
A) The evidence that led Mertens to argue that Varanus originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago B) The evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus originated in Australia C) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to the Indo- Australian archipelago if it had originated in Australia D) A possible explanation of how Varanus might have spread to Australia if it had originated in the Indo-Australian archipelago E) An indication of the general present-day distribution of Varanus species between Australia and the Indo-Australian archipelago
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51% (01:21) correct
49% (01:23) wrong based on 63 sessions
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It can be inferred that which of the following is true of the “geologic evidence” ?
A) It was first noted by Mertens as evidence in favor of his theory about the origins of Varanus. B) It cannot rule out either one of the theories about the origins of Varanus discussed in the passage. C) It accounts for the present distribution of the Komodo dragon. D) It has led to renewed interest in the debate over the origins of Varanus. E) It confirms the conclusions reached by early researchers concerning the origins of Varanus.
Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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25 Oct 2016, 08:08
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Explanation
22) Choice D is correct. Because the Komodo dragon, a species of Varanus, is restricted to “four small islands in the archipelago” but “most existing species” of the genus Varanus as a whole live in Australia, the geographical distribution of the genus includes species in both places. The distribution of the Komodo dragon is restricted to only one of these places and is thus more restricted than the genus as a whole, not less restricted. Thus, Choice C is incorrect. Choices A and B are incorrect because the passage does not describe the specific change in the geographic distribution of the Komodo dragon, but rather just describes its present distribution. Choice E is incorrect because the passage does not present its discussion of the Komodo dragon as evidence for either hypothesis of the origin of Varanus but rather as a “related puzzle.”
23) Choice A is correct. The passage provides support for Mertens’ argument by providing later chromosomal evidence as well as geologic evidence but it does not provide nor describe the evidence with which Mertens originally argued. Choices B and E are incorrect because the passage states that early researchers argued for a specific origin for Varanus “because most existing species live in Australia,” which indicates the present-day distribution of species. Choices C and D are incorrect because the passage provides geologic evidence to suggest a possible explanation for how Varanus may have spread to either Australia or the archipelago regardless of its origin.
24) Choice B is correct. The passage presents the “geologic evidence” so as to provide a possible explanation for the prevalence of the various species of Varanus in Australia if indeed Mertens’ theory is correct. But the evidence itself does not rule out the possibility that the earlier theory is correct and that Mertens is not, so the “geologic evidence” cannot rule out either theory. Choice A is incorrect because there is no specific indication that Mertens first provided this evidence, and the chronology of the presentation suggests that he did not. Choice C is incorrect as there is no mention in the passage of a specifically renewed interest in the debate. Choice D is incorrect since the “geologic evidence” does not rule out nor confirm either Mertens’ conclusions or those of earlier researchers.
Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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20 Sep 2017, 07:10
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Carcass wrote:
Explanation
24) Choice B is correct. The passage presents the “geologic evidence” so as to provide a possible explanation for the prevalence of the various species of Varanus in Australia if indeed Mertens’ theory is correct. But the evidence itself does not rule out the possibility that the earlier theory is correct and that Mertens is not, so the “geologic evidence” cannot rule out either theory. Choice A is incorrect because there is no specific indication that Mertens first provided this evidence, and the chronology of the presentation suggests that he did not. Choice CD is incorrect as there is no mention in the passage of a specifically renewed interest in the debate. Choice DE is incorrect since the “geologic evidence” does not rule out nor confirm either Mertens’ conclusions or those of earlier researchers.
I think ETS has made a mistake in the OE of the question 24.
Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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26 Jun 2021, 00:20
for 23 - option B is the ''most existing species live in Australia'' is that considered as the evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus orig. in Aust?
Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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26 Jun 2021, 00:42
Expert Reply
afjagew wrote:
for 23 - option B is the ''most existing species live in Australia'' is that considered as the evidence that led early researchers to argue that Varanus orig. in Aust?
What you pointed out is just a generalization to introduce the passage. It is not a clue
However, the question is tricky
The passage provides all clue to assert that the lizard was originated in Au but one.
The one is the correct choice and , as such, is NOT mentioned in the passage
Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu
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09 Jul 2022, 12:50
Hello from the GRE Prep Club VerbalBot!
Thanks to another GRE Prep Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).
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Re: Og_VPR # 22-23-24 Experts have differed about where the genu [#permalink]
Updated on: 05 Nov 2023, 09:55
60% (02:40) correct
