GMAT申友阅读RC题库-The passage suggests that relatively bright carotenoid-based coloration is a signal of which of the following characteristics in males of-OG2022-真题答案解析

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Carotenoids, a family of natural pigments, form an important part of the colorful signals used by many animals. Animals acquire carotenoids either directly (from the plants and algae that produce

them) or indirectly (by eating insects) and store them in a variety of tissues. Studies of several animal

species have shown that when choosing mates, females prefer males with brighter carotenoid-based coloration. Owens and Olson hypothesize that the presence of carotenoids, as signaled by coloration,

would be meaningful in the context of mate selection if carotenoids were either rare or required for health. The conventional view is that carotenoids

are meaningful because they are rare: healthier males can forage for more of the pigments than

can their inferior counterparts. Although this may be true, there is growing evidence that carotenoids are meaningful also because they are required: they are used by the immune system and for detoxification processes that are important for maintaining health. It may be that males can use scarce carotenoids either for immune defense and detoxification or for attracting females. Males that are more susceptible

to disease and parasites will have to use their

carotenoids to boost their immune systems, whereas males that are genetically resistant will use fewer

carotenoids for fighting disease and will advertise

this by using the pigments for flashy display instead.

The passage suggests that relatively bright carotenoid-based coloration is a signal of which of the following characteristics in males of certain animal species?

A. Readiness for mating behavior

B. Ability to fight

C. Particular feeding preferences

D. Recovery from parasite infestation

E. Fitness as a mate

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According to the passage, “studies of several animal species have shown that when choosing mates, females prefer males with brighter, carotenoid-based coloration.” The passage examines two mechanisms by which carotenoid-based coloration might affect mate selection: either signaling good health or signaling high genetic resistance to infection. It is implicit in the discussion that whichever mechanism is in question, bright coloration would function to signal fitness as a mate. A. The passage discusses how bright carotenoid-based coloration may affect mate selection but does not cite perceived bright coloration as signaling readiness for mating behavior. B. The passage suggests that bright carotenoid-based coloration tends to signal good health or genetic resistance to factors that cause illness. The passage does not refer to ability to fight. C. The passage does not refer to feeding preferences, but only indicates that animals with bright carotenoid-based coloration would have consumed organisms that are rich in carotenoids. D. The passage explores the possibility that bright carotenoid-based coloration could signal high genetic resistance to infection, but implies that recovery from infection could arise from strong immune resistance rather than from high genetic resistance, and could be signaled by lack of carotenoid-based brightness. E. Correct. The passage discussion indicates that, whatever the precise mechanism, bright carotenoid-based coloration in males of certain species functions to signal fitness as a mate. The correct answer is E.