Question

textual evidence: example
jan gimsa, robert sleigh, and ulrike gimsa have hypothesized that the sail-like structure running down the back of the dinosaur spinosaurus aegyptiacus improved the animals success in underwater pursuits of prey species capable of making quick, evasive movements. to evaluate their hypothesis, a second team of researchers constructed two battery-powered mechanical models of s. aegyptiacus, one with a sail and one without, and subjected the models to a series of identical tests in a water-filled tank.
which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support gimsa and colleagues hypothesis?
choose 1 answer:
a the model with a sail took significantly longer to travel a specified distance while submerged than the model without a sail did.
b the model with a sail displaced significantly more water while submerged than the model without a sail did.
c the model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after completing the tests than the model without a sail did.
d the model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did.

Explanation:

Gimsa and colleagues' hypothesis is that the sail - like structure improves underwater pursuit of prey capable of quick, evasive movements. A finding that shows the model with the sail is better at quick, underwater maneuvers (like a sharp turn) would support the hypothesis.

• Option A: Taking longer to travel a distance is the opposite of what would support the hypothesis (if it's slower, it's less likely to catch prey that can make quick movements).
• Option B: Displacing more water doesn't directly relate to the ability to pursue prey that makes quick, evasive movements.
• Option C: Less battery power remaining doesn't show an advantage in underwater pursuit of evasive prey.
• Option D: Taking less time to complete a sharp turn (a quick, evasive - type movement in the context of pursuit) supports the idea that the sail helps in underwater pursuit of prey that can make such movements.

Answer:

D. The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did.