Questions 42-52 are based on the following passage and supplementary material.
This passage is adapted from Richard J. Sharpe and Lisa Heyden, ―Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is Possibly Caused by a Dietary Pyrethrum Deficiency.‖ ?2009 by Elsevier Ltd. Colony collapse disorder is characterized by the disappearance of adult worker bees from hives.
Honey bees are hosts to the pathogenic large ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (Varroa mites). These mites feed on bee hemolymph (blood) and can kill bees directly or by increasing their susceptibility 5 to secondary infection with fungi, bacteria or viruses. Little is known about the natural defenses that keep the mite infections under control.
Pyrethrums are a group of flowering plants which include Chrysanthemum coccineum, Chrysanthemum 10 cinerariifolium, Chrysanthemum marschalli, and related species. These plants produce potent insecticides with anti-mite activity. The naturally occurring insecticides are known as pyrethrums. A synonym for the naturally occurring pyrethrums is 15 pyrethrin and synthetic analogues of pyrethrums are known as pyrethroids. In fact, the human mite infestation known as scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei) is treated with a topical pyrethrum cream.
We suspect that the bees of commercial bee 20 colonies which are fed mono-crops are nutritionally deficient. In particular, we postulate that the problem is a diet deficient in anti-mite toxins: pyrethrums, and possibly other nutrients which are inherent in such plants. Without, at least, intermittent feeding on
25 the pyrethrum producing plants, bee colonies are susceptible to mite infestations which can become fatal either directly or due to a secondary infection of immunocompromised or nutritionally deficient bees. This secondary infection can be viral, bacterial or 30 fungal and may be due to one or more pathogens. In addition, immunocompromised or nutritionally deficient bees may be further weakened when commercially produced insecticides are introduced into their hives by bee keepers in an effort to fight 35 mite infestation. We further postulate that the proper dosage necessary to prevent mite infestation may be better left to the bees, who may seek out or avoid pyrethrum containing plants depending on the amount necessary to defend against mites and the 40 amount already consumed by the bees, which in higher doses could be potentially toxic to them. This hypothesis can best be tested by a trial wherein a small number of commercial honey bee colonies are offered a number of pyrethrum
45 producing plants, as well as a typical bee food source such as clover, while controls are offered only the clover. Mites could then be introduced to each hive with note made as to the choice of the bees, and the effects of the mite parasites on the experimental 50 colonies versus control colonies.
It might be beneficial to test wild-type honey bee colonies in this manner as well, in case there could be some genetic difference between them that affects the
bees? preferences for pyrethrum producing flowers.
42. How do the words ―can,‖ ―may,‖ and ―could‖ in the third paragraph
(lines 19- 41) help establish the tone of the paragraph?
A) They create an optimistic tone that makes clear the authors are hopeful about the effects of their research on colony collapse disorder.
B) They create a dubious tone that makes clear the authors do not have confidence in the usefulness of the research described.
C) They create a tentative tone that makes clear the authors suspect but do not know that their hypothesis is correct.
D) They create a critical tone that makes clear the authors are skeptical of claims that pyrethrums are inherent in mono-crops.
43. In line 42, the authors state that a certain hypothesis ―can best be tested by a
trial.‖ Based on the passage, which of the following is a hypothesis the authors suggest be tested in a trial?
A) Honeybees that are exposed to both pyrethrums and mites are likely to develop a secondary infection by a virus, a bacterium, or a fungus.
B) Beekeepers who feed their honeybee colonies a diet of a single crop need to increase the use of insecticides to prevent mite infestations.
C) A honeybee diet that includes pyrethrums results in honeybee colonies that are more resistant to mite infestations.
D) Humans are more susceptible to varroa mites as a result of consuming nutritionally deficient food crops.
44. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A) Lines 3-5 (―These mites . . . viruses‖) B) Lines 16-18 (―In fact . . . cream‖) C) Lines 19-21 (―We suspect . . . deficient‖) D) Lines 24-28 (―Without . . . bees‖)
45. The passage most strongly suggests that beekeepers‘ attempts to fight mite
infestations with commercially produced insecticides have what unintentional effect?
A) They increase certain mite populations. B) They kill some beneficial forms of bacteria. C) They destroy bees‘ primary food source. D) They further harm the health of some bees.
46. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A) Lines 1-2 (―Honey bees . . . mites‖) B) Lines 6-7 (―Little . . . control‖)
C) Lines 31-35 (―In addition . . . infestation‖)
D) Lines 47-50 (―Mites . . . control colonies‖)
47. As used in line 35, ―postulate‖ most nearly means to
A) make an unfounded assumption. B) put forth an idea or claim. C) question a belief or theory. D) conclude based on firm evidence.
48. The main purpose of the fourth paragraph (lines 42-50) is to
A) summarize the results of an experiment that confirmed the authors‘ hypothesis about the role of clover in the diets of wild-type honeybees.
B) propose an experiment to investigate how different diets affect commercial honeybee colonies‘ susceptibility to mite infestations.
C) provide a comparative nutritional analysis of the honey produced by the experimental colonies and by the control colonies.
D) predict the most likely outcome of an unfinished experiment summarized in the third paragraph (lines 19-41).
49. An unstated assumption made by the authors about clover is that the plants A) do not produce pyrethrums.
B) are members of the Chrysanthemum genus.
C) are usually located near wild-type honeybee colonies.
D) will not be a good food source for honeybees in the control colonies.
50. Based on data in the table, in what percent of colonies with colony collapse