In the late nineteenth century, the highly esteemed Italian botanist Arcangeli made a claim that at that time was considered...

GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions

Source: Mock

Reading Comprehension

Bio Sciences

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In the late nineteenth century, the highly esteemed Italian botanist Arcangeli made a claim that at that time was considered "unbelievable" but that has been verified by subsequent research. It concerned the curious little arum lily Arisarum proboscideum, known as the mousetail plant. Its flower cluster develops inside a cylindrical, vertical chamber whose upper part is bent over and ends in a dark-colored, slender, drawn-out, and curved tip, the "mousetail." The chamber is completely closed except for an elliptical window that faces earthward.

A small flying insect, coming up from the forest floor and entering the chamber through the window, is immediately confronted by the flower cluster's appendix—a structure that extends into the bent part, well above the flowers that make up the cluster. In this case the appendix is not hard and smooth as it is in many arum lilies but spongy and full of little depressions. It is also off-white in color so that the overall visual impression it gives is deceptively like that of the underside of the cap of a Boletus mushroom. Arcangeli claimed that the plant's pollinators were fungus gnats—insects that normally breed in decaying mushrooms. The mousetail plant fools them so successfully that the females deposit their eggs—which will not be able to survive—on the appendix. Before the gnats can find their way out of the chamber, they also accidentally contact the flowers, transferring pollen.

Fungus mimicry turns out to be a fairly widespread pollination strategy. Most of the fungus mimics are forest dwellers, which remain close to the ground and produce dark purple or brown flowers with pale or translucent patterns. To the human nose at least they are either scentless or musky in odor. Usually the flowers are simple urn- or kettleshaped traps containing structures that closely resemble the gills or pores of mushrooms. Another element in their fungus mimicry is their exudation of moisture during the period when the flower is active. Fungus gnats of both sexes are involved in the pollination and are misled by a combination of fungus-like features—odor, color, shape, texture, and humidity.

Ques. 1/4

The passage most strongly supports which of the following inferences about flower-cluster appendixes?

Arcangeli did not hypothesize that they might play a role in attracting fungus gnats to Arisarum proboscideum.

In some species of arum lilies, their texture does not mimic that of the undersides of mushrooms.

In Arisarum proboscideum they help protect the plant from attack by funguseating insects.

They are absent in some species of arum lilies that are pollinated by fungus gnats.

Arcangeli found evidence that their absence in some species of arum lilies correlated with the absence of fungus gnats in those species' habitats.

Solution

1. Passage Analysis:

Text from Passage	Analysis
In the late nineteenth century, the highly esteemed Italian botanist Arcangeli made a claim that at that time was considered "unbelievable" but that has been verified by subsequent research.	What it says: A famous botanist made a shocking discovery that was later proven true. What it does: Sets up intrigue and credibility - we're about to learn something surprising but scientifically valid. Source/Type: Historical fact established by author Connection to Previous Sentences: First sentence - establishes the foundation Visualization: Timeline: 1880s → Arcangeli makes "crazy" claim → 2020s → "Actually, he was right!" Reading Strategy Insight: The author is building credibility before revealing the surprising discovery. Don't worry about what the claim is yet - just know it's legitimate.
It concerned the curious little arum lily Arisarum proboscideum, known as the mousetail plant.	What it says: The discovery was about a specific plant called the mousetail plant. What it does: Introduces the main subject of study Source/Type: Factual identification Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on sentence 1 by revealing what Arcangeli's "unbelievable" claim was about - this specific plant. Visualization: Subject of study: One small plant called "mousetail plant" (scientific name: Arisarum proboscideum) What We Know So Far: Famous botanist made surprising but true discovery about the mousetail plant What We Don't Know Yet: What exactly was surprising about this plant?
Its flower cluster develops inside a cylindrical, vertical chamber whose upper part is bent over and ends in a dark-colored, slender, drawn-out, and curved tip, the "mousetail."	What it says: The plant has a tube-like chamber with a curved dark tip that looks like a mouse's tail. What it does: Describes the plant's distinctive physical structure Source/Type: Descriptive facts about plant anatomy Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on the plant introduction by explaining WHY it's called "mousetail" - the curved dark tip resembles a mouse's tail. Visualization: Shape: Vertical tube (like a test tube) → bends over at top → ends in dark curved tip (like mouse tail) Reading Strategy Insight: The author is helping us visualize why it's called "mousetail" - this is clarification, not complexity.
The chamber is completely closed except for an elliptical window that faces earthward.	What it says: The tube is sealed except for one oval opening that points toward the ground. What it does: Adds crucial detail about the chamber's accessibility Source/Type: Descriptive anatomical fact Connection to Previous Sentences: This elaborates on the "cylindrical chamber" from the previous sentence, telling us how things can get in and out. Visualization: Closed tube with single oval entrance → pointing downward toward forest floor Reading Strategy Insight: The "window" detail will likely be important for understanding how insects interact with this plant.
A small flying insect, coming up from the forest floor and entering the chamber through the window, is immediately confronted by the flower cluster's appendix—a structure that extends into the bent part, well above the flowers that make up the cluster.	What it says: When an insect flies up and enters through the window, it encounters a structure called an appendix inside the bent part. What it does: Begins describing the insect-plant interaction Source/Type: Description of biological process Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on the "window" concept by showing us what happens when an insect uses that entrance - it meets the "appendix" structure. Visualization: Sequence: Insect flies up from ground → enters through downward-facing window → immediately sees appendix structure in the bent part Reading Strategy Insight: We're moving from static plant description to dynamic interaction. The setup (chamber + window) is now showing its purpose.
In this case the appendix is not hard and smooth as it is in many arum lilies but spongy and full of little depressions.	What it says: Unlike other similar plants, this appendix is soft and bumpy rather than hard and smooth. What it does: Contrasts this plant's appendix with typical arum lilies Source/Type: Comparative botanical description Connection to Previous Sentences: This elaborates on the "appendix" mentioned in the previous sentence, emphasizing what makes THIS appendix special and different. Visualization: Comparison: Most arum lilies: hard, smooth appendix vs. Mousetail plant: spongy, bumpy appendix Reading Strategy Insight: The contrast ("not...but") signals that this difference will be important for the plant's strategy.
It is also off-white in color so that the overall visual impression it gives is deceptively like that of the underside of the cap of a Boletus mushroom.	What it says: The spongy, off-white appendix looks remarkably similar to the underside of a mushroom. What it does: Reveals the key insight - this plant part mimics a mushroom! Source/Type: Descriptive observation leading to crucial insight Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on the appendix description (spongy + off-white color) to reveal WHY these features matter - they create a mushroom disguise! Visualization: Visual mimicry: Plant appendix (spongy, off-white, bumpy) ≈ Mushroom underside (gills, off-white, textured) Reading Strategy Insight: This is the "aha!" moment - all the physical details were building to this revelation about mushroom mimicry.
Arcangeli claimed that the plant's pollinators were fungus gnats—insects that normally breed in decaying mushrooms.	What it says: Arcangeli said the plant is pollinated by insects that usually lay eggs in rotting mushrooms. What it does: Reveals Arcangeli's "unbelievable" claim and connects it to the mushroom mimicry Source/Type: Arcangeli's specific scientific claim Connection to Previous Sentences: This connects the mushroom appearance to WHY it matters - it attracts insects that are looking for real mushrooms to breed in! Visualization: Normal cycle: Fungus gnats → seek decaying mushrooms → lay eggs there Plant's trick: Fungus gnats → mistake plant appendix for mushroom → visit plant instead Reading Strategy Insight: Now we understand what was "unbelievable" - this elaborate deception strategy seemed too sophisticated to believe!
The mousetail plant fools them so successfully that the females deposit their eggs—which will not be able to survive—on the appendix.	What it says: The disguise works so well that female gnats actually try to lay eggs on the fake mushroom, but the eggs will die. What it does: Shows how complete the deception is and its consequences for the insects Source/Type: Description of the deception's effectiveness Connection to Previous Sentences: This elaborates on the previous claim by showing exactly HOW the fungus gnats are fooled - they're so convinced it's a mushroom that they waste their reproduction attempt. Visualization: Failed reproduction: Female gnat → deposits eggs on fake mushroom appendix → eggs die (wrong environment) Reading Strategy Insight: The plant's deception is so perfect it triggers the gnats' most important behavior - reproduction.
Before the gnats can find their way out of the chamber, they also accidentally contact the flowers, transferring pollen.	What it says: While trapped and trying to escape, the gnats bump into the actual flowers and move pollen around. What it does: Completes the explanation of how the pollination actually works Source/Type: Description of the pollination mechanism Connection to Previous Sentences: This reveals the plant's ultimate goal - while the gnats are distracted by the fake mushroom and trying to escape the chamber, they accidentally accomplish pollination. Visualization: Pollination sequence: Gnat enters chamber → gets fooled by appendix → tries to lay eggs → tries to escape → bumps into real flowers → transfers pollen → eventually escapes What We Know So Far: Complete deception strategy where plant mimics mushroom to trick breeding insects into pollinating it Reading Strategy Insight: This completes the elegant explanation - every detail (chamber, window, appendix appearance) serves the pollination strategy.
Fungus mimicry turns out to be a fairly widespread pollination strategy.	What it says: Many plants use this mushroom-mimicking trick for pollination. What it does: Transitions from the specific example to the broader pattern Source/Type: Author's statement about broader biological pattern Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on the mousetail plant example by revealing it's not just one weird plant - this is actually a common strategy in nature. Reading Strategy Insight: Feel relieved here - we're moving from specific complexity to general patterns. The author is about to give us more examples that reinforce what we just learned.
Most of the fungus mimics are forest dwellers, which remain close to the ground and produce dark purple or brown flowers with pale or translucent patterns.	What it says: Plants that mimic mushrooms typically live in forests, stay low, and have dark flowers with light patterns. What it does: Describes common characteristics of fungus-mimicking plants Source/Type: Descriptive generalization about the plant group Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on "widespread pollination strategy" by describing what these plants typically look like - reinforcing the mushroom-like appearance we learned about. Visualization: Typical fungus mimic: Forest floor location + dark colored flowers + pale patterns = mushroom-like appearance Reading Strategy Insight: These characteristics all make sense given what we learned about the mousetail plant - they help plants look like forest mushrooms.
To the human nose at least they are either scentless or musky in odor.	What it says: These plants don't smell flowery - they either have no scent or smell earthy/musky. What it does: Adds another element of the mushroom mimicry - scent Source/Type: Descriptive observation about scent characteristics Connection to Previous Sentences: This continues describing typical fungus mimics, adding scent to the visual mimicry we've been learning about. Visualization: Scent mimicry: Typical flowers (sweet/floral scent) vs. Fungus mimics (no scent or earthy/mushroom-like scent) Reading Strategy Insight: This is just reinforcing the same concept - these plants avoid typical flower characteristics to maintain their mushroom disguise.
Usually the flowers are simple urn- or kettle-shaped traps containing structures that closely resemble the gills or pores of mushrooms.	What it says: The flowers are typically simple trap-shapes with internal structures that look like mushroom gills or pores. What it does: Describes the typical flower structure of fungus mimics Source/Type: Morphological description of typical fungus mimics Connection to Previous Sentences: This restates and generalizes what we learned about the mousetail plant's chamber and appendix - most fungus mimics have trap-like flowers with mushroom-like internal structures. Visualization: Common design: Urn/kettle-shaped flower (like mousetail's chamber) + internal structures resembling mushroom gills (like mousetail's spongy appendix) Reading Strategy Insight: This is NOT new complexity - it's showing us the mousetail plant follows a common template that many plants use!
Another element in their fungus mimicry is their exudation of moisture during the period when the flower is active.	What it says: These plants also release moisture when they're actively trying to attract pollinators. What it does: Adds another component of the mimicry strategy Source/Type: Description of additional mimicry element Connection to Previous Sentences: This continues building the list of how these plants mimic mushrooms - adding moisture to appearance, scent, and structure. Visualization: Complete mimicry package: Mushroom-like appearance + mushroom-like scent + mushroom-like moisture = convincing disguise Reading Strategy Insight: Each element reinforces the same deception strategy we learned about with the mousetail plant.
Fungus gnats of both sexes are involved in the pollination and are misled by a combination of fungus-like features—odor, color, shape, texture, and humidity.	What it says: Both male and female fungus gnats pollinate these plants because they're fooled by all the mushroom-like features working together. What it does: Summarizes and concludes the explanation by listing all the deception elements Source/Type: Comprehensive summary of the mimicry strategy Connection to Previous Sentences: This restates and synthesizes everything we've learned - it lists all the mimicry features (odor, color, shape, texture, humidity) that we've been discussing throughout the passage. Visualization: Complete deception system: Multiple sensory mimicry (sight + smell + touch + moisture) → fools both male and female gnats → successful pollination Reading Strategy Insight: This is a classic concluding sentence that ties together all the elements. Feel confident - the author is helping you see how all the details connect to create one elegant strategy! What We Know Now: Fungus mimicry is a sophisticated but widespread plant strategy that uses multiple forms of deception to trick insects into pollination.

2. Passage Summary:

Author's Purpose:

To explain how a specific plant uses an elaborate deception strategy to trick insects into pollinating it, and to show that this strategy is actually common in nature.

Summary of Passage Structure:

In this passage, the author walks us through a fascinating example of plant deception by building from a historical discovery to a broader biological pattern:

First, the author introduces us to a surprising discovery made by a 19th-century botanist about a plant called the mousetail plant, setting up credibility for what seemed like an unbelievable claim.
Next, the author carefully describes the plant's physical structure - its chamber-like flower, downward-facing window, and special appendix - setting up all the pieces we need to understand the deception.
Then, the author reveals the key insight: the plant's appendix looks exactly like the underside of a mushroom, which tricks fungus gnats (insects that normally breed in mushrooms) into visiting the plant and accidentally pollinating it while trying to lay eggs.
Finally, the author expands beyond this single example to show that many plants use this same mushroom-mimicking strategy, describing the common features they share to fool insects.

Main Point:

Plants can evolve incredibly sophisticated deception strategies where they mimic mushrooms in multiple ways (appearance, scent, moisture, texture) to trick insects into pollinating them, and this clever strategy is actually widespread in nature rather than being a rare oddity.

3. Question Analysis:

This question asks what the passage most strongly supports about flower-cluster appendixes in general. It's testing our ability to make inferences based on specific information given about appendixes, particularly the comparison between the mousetail plant's appendix and those of other arum lilies.

Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:

Our passage analysis revealed a crucial comparison in the section describing the mousetail plant's appendix: "In this case the appendix is not hard and smooth as it is in many arum lilies but spongy and full of little depressions." This contrast was identified as significant because it emphasizes what makes THIS appendix special and different from typical arum lilies.

The analysis also showed that this difference in texture (spongy vs. hard and smooth) directly serves the mushroom mimicry strategy - the spongy, bumpy texture helps create the visual impression of "the underside of the cap of a Boletus mushroom."

Prethinking:

The passage gives us a clear contrast: the mousetail plant's appendix is "spongy and full of little depressions" while appendixes in "many arum lilies" are "hard and smooth." This directly tells us that different species of arum lilies have different appendix textures. Since the mousetail plant's spongy texture specifically mimics mushroom undersides, and other arum lilies have hard, smooth appendixes, we can infer that not all arum lily appendixes are designed to mimic mushroom texture. The answer should reflect this textural variation among arum lily species.

Answer Choices Explained

Arcangeli did not hypothesize that they might play a role in attracting fungus gnats to Arisarum proboscideum.

Why It's Wrong:

The passage doesn't discuss what Arcangeli did or didn't hypothesize about appendixes attracting gnats
The passage focuses on what Arcangeli claimed about pollinators being fungus gnats, not specifically about appendix function
This choice asks about Arcangeli's thought process rather than what we can infer about appendixes themselves

Common Student Mistakes:

Did I confuse what Arcangeli claimed with what he didn't claim?
→ Focus on what the passage explicitly states rather than trying to infer what someone didn't think
Am I answering a question about Arcangeli rather than about appendixes?
→ Re-read the question stem - it asks about appendixes, not about Arcangeli's hypotheses

In some species of arum lilies, their texture does not mimic that of the undersides of mushrooms.

Why It's Right:

The passage explicitly states the mousetail plant's appendix "is not hard and smooth as it is in many arum lilies but spongy and full of little depressions"
This directly contrasts textures: mousetail plant (spongy, mimics mushrooms) vs. many other arum lilies (hard and smooth)
If some appendixes are hard and smooth while others are spongy, then clearly not all arum lily appendixes mimic mushroom texture

Key Evidence: "In this case the appendix is not hard and smooth as it is in many arum lilies but spongy and full of little depressions."

In Arisarum proboscideum they help protect the plant from attack by funguseating insects.

Why It's Wrong:

The passage describes the appendix as part of the deception strategy, not as protection from fungus-eating insects
The appendix actually attracts insects (fungus gnats) rather than protecting from them
The passage shows the appendix serves pollination purposes, not defensive purposes

Common Student Mistakes:

Did I confuse attracting insects with protecting from insects?
→ Remember the appendix is designed to fool gnats into visiting, not to keep them away
Am I thinking of the wrong type of insect?
→ The passage discusses fungus gnats (pollinators), not fungus-eating insects that would harm the plant

They are absent in some species of arum lilies that are pollinated by fungus gnats.

Why It's Wrong:

The passage doesn't provide information about arum lily species that lack appendixes
All discussion of arum lilies in the passage assumes the presence of appendixes with different characteristics
This choice introduces information not supported by the passage

Common Student Mistakes:

Am I making assumptions beyond what the passage states?
→ Stick to what's explicitly mentioned about appendix variations, not their absence
Did I confuse different appendix types with absent appendixes?
→ The passage compares textures of existing appendixes, not presence vs. absence

Arcangeli found evidence that their absence in some species of arum lilies correlated with the absence of fungus gnats in those species' habitats.

Why It's Wrong:

The passage doesn't mention Arcangeli studying species without appendixes
No information is provided about correlations between appendix absence and habitat characteristics
This choice creates a complex relationship not supported by passage content

Common Student Mistakes:

Am I creating correlations that aren't in the passage?
→ Focus only on the specific comparison between appendix textures that is actually provided
Did I assume Arcangeli's research was more comprehensive than described?
→ The passage only tells us about his specific claim regarding the mousetail plant and fungus gnats

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