SAT Reading & Writing · Command of Evidence (textual)
Researchers studying mosquito populations living within the London Underground transit system found that these populations show genetic…
Researchers studying mosquito populations living within the London Underground transit system found that these populations show genetic differences from some above-ground mosquito populations nearby, along with differences in host preference and breeding behavior. A newspaper article claims this proves a brand-new mosquito species evolved entirely as a result of the London Underground's construction. Which finding would most directly undermine the article's claim?
Answer and explanation
Answer: C: Similar underground-adapted mosquito populations, showing comparable genetic and behavioral differences, have been documented in separate underground transit and tunnel systems in other cities,…
The article's claim is that this specific construction project caused an entirely new species. C undermines that by showing similar underground populations arose independently in other, unrelated tunnel systems, which points to a more general ecological process instead of a one-time event tied uniquely to the London Underground. A restates the setup's genetic finding without addressing whether it's unique to London. B and D are background facts unrelated to the uniqueness question.
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