Question

question 3

based on what you read, why might the illustrator have chosen to draw an ant on the top of the silky hairstreak caterpillar?

because they work together: ants get food from the caterpillars and give the caterpillars protection in return.
because it makes the caterpillar seem more loveable and therefore increases interest in the text
because it helps the reader estimate the size of the caterpillar, since ants are pretty common
because the ants often prey the caterpillars, jumping on their backs and attacking them from up top

Explanation:

Analyze the question and options

The question asks why the illustrator chose to draw an ant on top of the Silky Hairstreak caterpillar. This requires identifying the biological relationship between these two organisms based on typical reading comprehension passages about animal defenses and mutualism.

Evaluate the choices

• Option 1: "Because they work together: Ants get food from the caterpillars and give the caterpillars protection in return." This describes a mutualistic relationship (symbiosis) where both species benefit, which is a well-known ecological interaction for hairstreak caterpillars and ants.
• Option 2: "Because it makes the caterpillar seem more loveable..." is subjective and scientifically irrelevant.
• Option 3: "Because it helps the reader estimate the size..." is highly unlikely to be the primary biological reason illustrated.
• Option 4: "Because the ants often prey the caterpillars..." is incorrect because these species share a mutualistic, protective relationship rather than a predator-prey relationship.

Determine the correct option

The first option correctly identifies the cooperative, mutualistic relationship between ants and Silky Hairstreak caterpillars.

Answer:

• (A) Because they work together: Ants get food from the caterpillars and give the caterpillars protection in return. (Correct answer)
• (B) Because it makes the caterpillar seem more loveable and therefore increases interest in the text
• (C) Because it helps the reader estimate the size of the caterpillar, since ants are pretty common
• (D) Because the ants often prey the caterpillars, jumping on their backs and attacking them from up top