Question

All of the following constitute a point of difference between the “original” and “modified” versions of the marshmallow test EXCEPT that:

• A. the former was performed over a longer time span than the latter.
• B. the former correlated self-control and future success, while the latter correlated self-control and survival advantages.
• C. the former had human subjects, while the latter had cuttlefish.
• D. the former used verbal communication with its subjects, while the latter had to develop a symbolic means of communication.
• A. Cuttlefish exercise choice when it comes to food.
• B. Cuttlefish exert self-control with the help of diversions.
• C. Like human children, cuttlefish are capable of self-control.
• D. Intelligence in a species is impossible without sociability.
• A. Asian shore crabs and raw prawns are simultaneously released while a live grass shrimp drawer labelled with a triangle is placed in front of the cuttlefish, to be opened after one minute.
• B. raw prawns are released while a live grass shrimp drawer labelled with a square is placed in front of the cuttlefish.
• C. live grass shrimp are released while two raw prawn drawers labelled with a circle and a triangle respectively are placed in front of the cuttlefish; the triangle-labelled drawer is opened after 50 seconds.
• D. raw prawns are released while an Asian shore crab drawer labelled with a triangle is placed in front of the cuttlefish, to be opened after one minute.
• A. Cuttlefish are equally fond of live grass shrimp and raw prawn.
• B. Cuttlefish wait longer than 100 seconds for the shrimp drawer to open up.
• C. Cuttlefish live in big groups that exhibit sociability.
• D. Cuttlefish cannot distinguish between geometrical shapes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks to identify the option that is NOT a point of difference between the "original" and "modified" versions of the marshmallow test. Let's analyze the options based on the passage:

1. The former was performed over a longer time span than the latter.
   The original test had a long-term follow-up, while the modified test with cuttlefish was over a shorter duration. This is a point of difference.
2. The former correlated self-control and future success, while the latter correlated self-control and survival advantages.
   The passage discusses future success correlation in the original test but does not mention survival advantages for the modified test. This is NOT a point of difference, making this the correct choice.
3. The former had human subjects, while the latter had cuttlefish.
   The original test used children, while the modified test used cuttlefish, indicating a point of difference.
4. The former used verbal communication with its subjects, while the latter had to develop a symbolic means of communication.
   The original test involved verbal instructions, whereas the modified test used shapes as symbolic communication. This is a difference.

Thus, the correct answer is: "the former correlated self-control and future success, while the latter correlated self-control and survival advantages."

Answer 2

The correct answer to the question "Which one of the following cannot be inferred from Alexandra Schnell’s experiment?" is "Intelligence in a species is impossible without sociability." Let's break down why this is the case based on the provided passage.

The key points of the passage are:

• Alexandra Schnell's experiment was designed to test the self-control of cuttlefish as a measure of intelligence.
• The experiment used a version of the marshmallow test with cuttlefish, substituting seafood for sweets.
• Cuttlefish could wait for preferable food, indicating they exercised choice and self-control.
• They used diversions to distract themselves from immediate but less preferred rewards.
• While many intelligent animals are social, cuttlefish are solitary but still exhibit self-control.

Based on these points, the following inferences can be made from the experiment:

• Cuttlefish exercise choice when it comes to food, as demonstrated by their ability to wait for preferred food.
• Cuttlefish exert self-control with the help of diversions, similar to other intelligent animals like humans and chimpanzees.
• Like human children, cuttlefish are capable of self-control, as evident from their behavior in the experiment.

However, the statement "Intelligence in a species is impossible without sociability" cannot be inferred because the experiment reveals that cuttlefish, despite being solitary, display self-control, a sign of intelligence. Therefore, this particular statement does not align with the findings presented in the given passage.

Answer 3

The question involves selecting the scenario where the cuttlefish's behavior demonstrates self-control based on the provided passage.

To answer the question, let's understand key points about the cuttlefish experiment mentioned in the passage:

• Cuttlefish prefer live grass shrimp the most, followed by raw prawns and then Asian shore crabs.
• Cuttlefish displayed self-control in experiments when they could delay gratification for a preferred food.
• The experiment utilized shapes indicating when food would be available: a triangle meant delayed access to a preferred food (live grass shrimp), and a circle meant immediate access to a less preferred food (raw prawns).

With this understanding, we need to find the scenario where the cuttlefish waits for the preferred live grass shrimp, despite the temptation of immediate access to other less preferred foods. Here are the given options analyzed:

• First Option: Simultaneously, Asian shore crabs and raw prawns are released while a drawer with a triangle is placed for live grass shrimp to open after one minute. This scenario aligns with self-control as the cuttlefish waits for the more preferred shrimp, ignoring the immediate less preferred options.
• Second Option: Raw prawns are released while a square-labeled drawer indicates never access to live grass shrimp. This doesn't demonstrate self-control over waiting for the preferred option since the shrimp isn't available.
• Third Option: Live grass shrimp are released, and drawer options for prawns are provided with a circle (immediate) and triangle (delayed). Here, shrimp are immediately available, so self-control isn't demonstrated.
• Fourth Option: Raw prawns are released while a triangle-labeled drawer indicates delayed access to Asian shore crab. This involves waiting for a less preferred food, not demonstrating self-control over the preferred choice.

The correct scenario where the cuttlefish's behavior demonstrates self-control is the first option: "Asian shore crabs and raw prawns are simultaneously released while a live grass shrimp drawer labeled with a triangle is placed in front of the cuttlefish, to be opened after one minute."

Answer 4

The passage discusses the study of cuttlefish and their capacity for self-control, relating it to intelligence and complex decision-making. The passage contrasts cuttlefish with other species that have self-control and tend to have long, social lives. The correct answer to the question is: Cuttlefish live in big groups that exhibit sociability.

Explanation:

1. The passage explains that self-control is connected to intelligence and complex planning.
2. It is noted that most animals capable of self-control also typically live long social lives.
3. Cuttlefish, however, are described as solitary, lacking social connections with mates or young.
4. The addition of new information that cuttlefish live in big groups exhibiting sociability complements the findings by implying a potential link between sociability and the observed self-control in cuttlefish.

This aligns with the passage's focus on understanding cognition and social group living, providing context that might support the unexpected self-control trait of cuttlefish.