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Questions 9–14 are based on the following passage and supplementary material.
This passage is adapted from Ed Yong, “Turtles Use the Earth’s Magnetic Field as Global GPS.” ©2011 by Kalmbach Publishing Co.
In 1996, a loggerhead turtle called Adelita swam across 9,000 miles from Mexico to Japan, crossing the entire Pacific on her way. Wallace J. Nicholstracked this epic journey with a satellite tag. But Adelita herself had no such technology at her disposal. How did she steer a route across two oceans to find her destination?
Nathan Putman has the answer. By testing hatchling turtles in a special tank, he has found that they can use the Earth’s magnetic field as their own Global Positioning System (GPS). By sensing the field, they can work out both their latitude and longitude and head in the right direction.
Putman works in the lab of Ken Lohmann, who has been studying the magnetic abilities of loggerheads for over 20 years. In his lab at the University of North Carolina, Lohmann places hatchlings in a large water tank surrounded by a large grid of electromagnetic coils. In 1991, he found that the babies started in the opposite direction if he used the coils to reverse the direction of the magnetic field around them. They could use the field as a compass to get their bearing.
Later, Lohmann showed that they can also use the magnetic field to work out their position. For them, this is literally a matter of life or death. Hatchlings born off the sea coast of Florida spend their early lives in the North Atlantic gyre, a warm current that circles between North America and Africa. If they’re swept towards the cold waters outside the gyre, they die. Their magnetic sense keeps them safe.
Using his coil-surrounded tank, Lohmann could mimic the magnetic field at different parts of the Earth’s surface. If he simulated the field at the northern edge of the gyre, the hatchlings swam southwards. If he simulated the field at the gyre’s southern edge, the turtles swam west-northwest. These experiments showed that the turtles can use their magnetic sense to work out their latitude—their position on a north-south axis. Now, Putman has shown that they can also determine their longitude—their position on an east-west axis.
He tweaked his magnetic tanks to simulate the fields in two positions with the same latitude at opposite ends of the Atlantic. If the field simulated the west Atlantic near Puerto Rico, the turtles swam northeast. If the field matched that on the east Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands, the turtles swam southwest. In the wild, both headings would keep them within the safe, warm embrace of the North Atlantic gyre.
Before now, we knew that several animal migrants, from loggerheads to reed warblers to sparrows, had some way of working out longitude, but no one knew how. By keeping the turtles in the same conditions, with only the magnetic fields around them changing, Putman clearly showed that they can use these fields to find their way. In the wild, they might well also use other landmarks like the position of the sea, sun and stars.
Putman thinks that the turtles work out their position using two features of the Earth’s magnetic field that change over its surface. They can sense the field’s inclination, or the angle at which it dips towards the surface. At the poles, this angle is roughly 90 degrees and at the equator, it’s roughly zero degrees. They can also sense its intensity, which is strongest near the poles and weakest near the Equator. Different parts of the world have unique combinations of these two variables. Neither corresponds directly to either latitude or longitude, but together, they provide a “magnetic signature” that tells the turtle where it is.
Orientation of Hatchling Loggerheads Tested in Magnetic Fields
Adapted from Nathan Putman, Courtney Endres, Catherine Lohmann, and Kenneth Lohmann, “Longitude Perception and Bicoordinate Magnetic Maps in Sea Turtles.” ©2011 by Elsevier Inc.
Orientation of hatchling loggerheads tested in a magnetic field that simulates a position at the west side of the Atlantic near Puerto Rico (left) and a position at the east side of the Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands (right). The arrow in each circle indicates the mean direction that the group of hatchlings swam. Data are plotted relative to geographic north
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Question 9 of 24
Select an Answer
The passage most strongly suggests that Adelita used which of the following to navigate her 9,000-mile journey?
A
The current of the North Atlantic gyre
B
Cues from electromagnetic coils designed by Putman and Lohmann
C
The inclination and intensity of Earth’s magnetic field
D
A simulated “magnetic signature” configured by Lohmann
Question 10 of 24
Select an Answer
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A
Lines 1–2 (“In 1996...way”)
B
Lines 23–24 (“Using...surface”)
C
Lines 41–42 (“In the wild...stars”)
D
Lines 49–51 (“Neither...it is”)
Question 11of 24
Select an Answer
As used in line 3, “tracked” most nearly means
A
searched for.
B
traveled over.
C
followed.
D
hunted.
Question 12of 24
Select an Answer
Based on the passage, which choice best describes the relationship between Putman’s and Lohmann’s research?
A
Putman’s research contradicts Lohmann’s.
B
Putman’s research builds on Lohmann’s.
C
Lohmann’s research confirms Putman’s.
D
Lohmann’s research corrects Putman’s.
Question 13 of 24
Select an Answer
The author refers to reed warblers and sparrows(line 37) primarily to
A
contrast the loggerhead turtle’s migration patterns with those of other species.
B
provide examples of species that share one of the loggerhead turtle’s abilities.
C
suggest that most animal species possess some ability to navigate long distances.
D
illustrate some ways in which the ability to navigate long distances can help a species.
Question 14 of 24
Select an Answer
It can reasonably be inferred from the passage and graphic that if scientists adjusted the coils to reverse the magnetic field simulating that in the East Atlantic (Cape Verde Islands), the hatchlings would most likely swim in which direction?
A
Northwest
B
Northeast
C
Southeast
D
Southwest
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Question 9 of 24
正确答案：C
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Choice C is the best answer. The first paragraph describes the 9,000-mile journey that Adelita made and raises the question, which the rest of the passage tries to answer, of how this loggerhead turtle was able to “steer a route across two oceans to find her destination” (line 4). The answer comes most directly in the last paragraph, which presents Putman’s belief that loggerhead turtles “work out their position using two features of the Earth’s magnetic field that change over its surface”(line 43–44): its inclination and its intensity. It is reasonable, therefore, to infer from the passage that this was the method that Adelita used.
Choice A is not the best answer because there is no evidence in the passage that Adelita used the current of the North Atlantic gyre to navigate her 9,000-mile journey. The passage does discuss the North Atlantic gyre but only as the place where loggerhead turtle hatchlings “born off the sea coast of Florida spend their early lives” (line 19).
Choice B is not the best answer because there is no evidence in the passage that Adelita navigated her 9,000-mile journey with the aid of cues from electromagnetic coils designed by Putman and Lohmann. The passage does say that Putman and Lohmann use electromagnetic coils as part of their research on loggerhead turtles, but the coils are part of tanks used in a laboratory to study loggerhead hatchlings (see line 10).
Choice D is not the best answer because there is no evidence in the passage that Adelita navigated her 9,000-mile journey with the aid of a simulated “magnetic signature” configured by Lohmann. The passage does describe how Lohmann and Putman manipulate magnetic fields as part of their research on loggerhead turtle hatchlings (see, for example,lines 11–15), but there is no indication that the two scientists used (or even could use) the kind of equipment necessary for this project outside of laboratory tanks or with Adelita in the wild.
Question Difficulty:
EASY
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must draw a reasonable inference from the text.
Question 10 of 24
正确答案：D
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Choice D is the best answer because in lines49–51, the author indicates that “together, [inclination and intensity] provide a ‘magnetic signature’ that tells the turtle where it is.” These lines thus serve as the best evidence for the answer to the previous question.
Choice A is not the best answer because in lines1–2, the author establishes that Adelita made a 9,000-mile journey but does not explain how she navigated it. These lines thus do not serve as the best evidence for the answer to the previous question.
Choice B is not the best answer because in lines23–24, the author indicates that Lohmann is able to “mimic the magnetic field at different parts of the Earth’s surface” in his laboratory but does not explain how Adelita navigated her 9,000-mile journey or suggest that Lohmann had any influence over Adelita’s trip. These lines thus do not serve as the best evidence for the answer to the previous question.
Choice C is not the best answer because in lines41–42, the author notes that loggerhead turtles “in the wild” may make use of “landmarks like the position of the sea, sun and stars” but does not indicate that Adelita used such landmarks to navigate her 9,000-mile journey. These lines thus do not serve as the best evidence for the answer to the previous question.
Question Difficulty:
MEDIUM
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must determine which portion of the passage provides the best evidence for the answer to question 6.
Question 11 of 24
正确答案：C
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Choice C is the best answer because the context makes clear that Nichols followed Adelita’s “epic journey with a satellite tag” (line 3).
Choice A is not the best answer because while “tracked” sometimes means “searched for,” it would make little sense in context to say that Nichols searched for Adelita’s “epic journey with a satellite tag” (line 3). It is more reasonable to conclude from the passage that Nichols knew about Adelita and her journey and used a satellite tag to help follow it.
Choice B is not the best answer because while “tracked” sometimes means “traveled over,” it would make no sense in context to say that Nichols traveled over Adelita’s “epic journey with a satellite tag” (line 3).
Choice D is not the best answer because while “tracked” sometimes means “hunted,” it would make no sense in context to say that Nichols hunted Adelita’s “epic journey with a satellite tag”(line 3).
Question Difficulty:
EASY
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must determine the meaning of a word in the context in which it appears.
Question 12 of 24
正确答案：B
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Choice B is the best answer. Putman “works in the lab of Ken Lohmann, who has been studying the magnetic abilities of loggerheads for over 20 years" (lines 10–13). Lohmann had earlier demonstrated that loggerhead turtles “could use the [magnetic] field as a compass to get their bearing” (lines 15–16) and “use their magnetic sense to work out their latitude— their position on a north-south axis” (line 27–28). Putman has since(“now,” line 28) built on Lohmann’s work by demonstrating that the turtles “can also determine their longitude—their position on an east-west axis”(line 29–30).
Choice A is not the best answer because the passage does not indicate that Putman’s research contradicts Lohmann’s. In fact, Putman’s work complements Lohmann’s. Lohmann had demonstrated that loggerhead turtles “could use the [magnetic] field as a compass to get their bearing” (lines 15–16) and “use their magnetic sense to work out their latitude— their position on a north-south axis” (line 27–28). Putman has, in turn, demonstrated that the turtles “can also determine their longitude—their position on an east-west axis”(line 29–30).
Choice C is not the best answer because the research of Lohmann that the passage describes came before that of Putman. Putman “works in the lab of Ken Lohmann, who has been studying the magnetic abilities of loggerheads for over 20 years” (lines 10–13). Lohmann had earlier demonstrated that loggerhead turtles “could use the [magnetic] field as a compass to get their bearing” (lines15–16) and “use their magnetic sense to work out their latitude—their position on a north-south axis”(line 27–28). Putman has since (“now,” line 28)built on Lohmann’s work by demonstrating that the turtles “can also determine their longitude—their position on an east-west axis” (line 29–30).
Choice D is not the best answer because the passage does not indicate that Lohmann’s research corrects Putman’s. First, the research of Lohmann that the passage describes came before that of Putman (see explanation for choice C) and thus could not “correct” Putman’s later research. Second, the passage does not indicate that Putman’s research contradicts Lohmann’s (see explanation for choice A), meaning that there is nothing for Lohmann to “correct” with his own research.
Question Difficulty:
EASY
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must characterize the relationship between two individuals described in the passage.
Question 13 of 24
正确答案：B
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Choice B is the best answer because the author indicates that reed warblers and sparrows, like loggerhead turtles, had previously been known to have “some way of working out longitude” (line 38).
Choice A is not the best answer because although the author notes that loggerhead turtles, reed warblers, and sparrows are all “animal migrants” (line 37), he offers no specifics about reed warblers’ and sparrows’ migration patterns, and the only connection he draws among the three animals is their recognized ability of somehow “working out longitude” (line 38).
Choice C is not the best answer because the author only mentions three “animal migrants” by name (loggerhead turtles, reed warblers, and sparrows) and indicates that “several” such migrants had previously been known to have“some way of working out longitude” (line 38). He makes no claim in the passage that most animal species have some long-distance navigation ability.
Choice D is not the best answer because although the author indicates that reed warblers and sparrows, like loggerhead turtles, are “animal migrants” (line 37), he offers no specifics about how the ability to navigate long distances might help reed warblers and sparrows (nor, for that matter, much information about how this ability might help loggerhead turtles).
Question Difficulty:
EASY
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must determine the main rhetorical effect a part of the passage has on the passage as a whole.
Question 14of 24
正确答案：B
View Correct Answer
Choice B is the best answer. The passage notes that Lohmann, who studied loggerhead turtle hatchlings “in a large water tank surrounded by a large grid of electromagnetic coils” (lines 12–13)capable of manipulating the magnetic field around the turtles, discovered that the hatchlings would start “swimming in the opposite direction” when he “reverse[d] the direction of the magnetic field around them” (lines 14–15). The graphic (whose caption establishes that geographic north is represented by 0 degrees) indicates that loggerhead hatchlings tested in a magnetic field that simulates a position at the east side of the Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands would normally travel in a southwesterly direction (around 218 degrees). Given the above information, it is reasonable to infer that if the magnetic field were reversed, the turtles would travel in a northeasterly direction.
Choice A is not the best answer because information in the passage and graphic suggests that the loggerhead turtle hatchlings would travel in a northeasterly, and not a northwesterly, direction if scientists reversed the magnetic field simulating a position at the east side of the Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands.
Choice C is not the best answer because information in the passage and graphic suggests that the loggerhead turtle hatchlings would travel in a northeasterly, and not a southeasterly, direction if scientists reversed the magnetic field simulating a position at the east side of the Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands.
Choice D is not the best answer because information in the passage and graphic suggests that the loggerhead turtle hatchlings would travel in a northeasterly, and not a southwesterly, direction if scientists reversed the magnetic field simulating a position at the east side of the Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands. The graphic indicates that the hatchlings travel southwesterly under the normal (nonreversed) simulated conditions.
Question Difficulty:
HARD
Passage Complexity:
LOWER
Objective:
Students must interpret a graphic and synthesize information from both the text and the graphic.