Question

questions 11 - 13 refer to the passage below.
natives and newcomers interacted in unexpected ways, creating biological bedlam. when spanish colonists imported african plantains a tropical plant that resembles a banana in 1516, the harvard entomologist edward o. wilson has proposed, they also imported scale insects, small creatures with tough, waxy coats that suck the juices from plant roots and stems. about a dozen banana - infesting scale insects are known in africa. in hispaniola, wilson argued, these insects had no natural enemies. in consequence, their numbers must have exploded — a phenomenon known to science as \ecological release.\ this spread of scale insects would have dismayed the island’s european banana farmers but delighted one of its native species: the tropical fire ant solenopsis geminata. s. geminata is fond of dining on scale insects’ sugary excrement; to ensure the flow, the ants will attack anything that disturbs them. a big increase in scale insects would have led to a big increase in fire ants.
mann, charles. 1491: new revelations of the americas before columbus, 2006.

1. according to mann, what is the significant unintended consequence of european exploration in the western hemisphere?

(a) europeans brought new types of wild life that changed the ecological relationships in mesoamerica.
(b) europeans brought new crops that allowed for a diversification of nutrition.
(c) europeans changed the trade patterns from crops to precious metals.
(d) europeans interacted with native populations leading to changes in social relationships.

1. which of the following is the most likely effect of the interaction described in the passage?

(a) falling populations in the americas as a result of fewer food options.
(b) the replacement of traditional staples, such as rice and wheat in europe and asia.
(c) greater diversity of crops in europe resulted in population increases.
(d) the creation of plantations focusing on cash crops such as tobacco, coffee and sugar.

1. which of the following european imports had the largest impact on the mesoamerican communities in the 1600s?

(a) spanish horses allowed for major changes in hunting and foraging.
(b) spanish metals changed the types of trade between tribal groups and kingdoms.
(c) spanish ideas led to a massive abandonment of traditional beliefs.
(d) spanish diseases led to a widespread dying off of the population.

Explanation:

For question 11, the passage describes how European colonists brought scale insects (a type of wildlife) which changed ecological relationships (scale insects had no natural enemies, then fire ants increased). For question 12, the introduction of new plants (plantains) and insects could lead to the development of cash - crop plantations as part of the broader Columbian Exchange. For question 13, historically, European diseases (like smallpox) had a catastrophic impact on Meso - American populations in the 1600s, which is a well - known historical fact.

Answer:

1. A. Europeans brought new types of wild life that changed the ecological relationships in Mesoamerica.
2. D. The creation of plantations focusing on cash crops such as tobacco, coffee and sugar.
3. D. Spanish diseases led to a widespread dying off of the population.