Question

jenn and rico are studying bumblebees in class.

they have completed some preliminary research and made a few observations in the area in which they live.

they live in a suburban area within 15 miles of a large city to the north and farming areas to the southwest.

preliminary research has shown that global bee populations are shrinking. however, they cannot agree on a particular direction for their investigation.

select the statement(s) that would be appropriate hypotheses to begin their investigation.

bumblebees in rural environments are healthier than those in urban environments
if bumblebees are exposed to fertilizers, then their reproduction cycle will be interrupted
bumblebees in rural areas like to pollinate more than urban bumblebees
fertilizers will either help, harm, or do nothing to bumblebees
beekeeping is a beneficial process for the bumblebee population

Explanation:

To determine appropriate hypotheses, we analyze each option:

1. “Bumblebees in rural environments are healthier than those in urban environments”

This is testable (e.g., by measuring health markers in rural vs. urban bumblebees) and relates to their suburban/urban/rural context.

1. “If bumblebees are exposed to fertilizers, then their reproduction cycle will be interrupted”

This is a testable “if-then” hypothesis, and fertilizers are relevant to the farming areas near their location.

1. “Bumblebees in rural areas like to pollinate more than urban bumblebees”

“Like to pollinate” is subjective and not objectively testable (pollination behavior is observable, but “liking” is not measurable).

1. “Fertilizers will either help, harm, or do nothing to bumblebees”

This is a statement of possible outcomes, not a predictive hypothesis (it does not propose a specific relationship to test).

1. “Beekeeping is a beneficial process for the bumblebee population”

The study focuses on bumblebees in their natural environment, not beekeeping (which is more about managed honeybees or bumblebee colonies in hives, not the wild populations they observe).

Answer:

A. Bumblebees in rural environments are healthier than those in urban environments
B. If bumblebees are exposed to fertilizers, then their reproduction cycle will be interrupted