Question

Fish belonging to species S in the deep sea have skins that are extremely black (ultra-black skin). This helps them not only to avoid predators but also sneakily attack their prey. However, having this extra layer of black pigment results in lower collagen on their skin, making their skin more fragile.

• A. Having ultra-black skin is only advantageous to species S
• B. Species S with lower collagen in their skin are at an advantage because it helps them avoid predators
• C. Having ultra-black skin has both advantages and disadvantages to species S
• D. Having ultra-black skin is only disadvantageous to species S but advantageous only to their predators

Hint:

When reading passages that describe a phenomenon with both positive and negative aspects, ensure you evaluate all aspects before selecting the correct inference. In this case, the passage mentions both the advantages and disadvantages of the ultra-black skin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In this passage, the fish species S has ultra-black skin that offers advantages and disadvantages. The ultra-black skin helps them avoid predators and sneakily attack prey, which gives them a distinct advantage in terms of camouflage and hunting ability. However, the extra pigment layer also leads to lower collagen levels, making their skin more fragile. This creates a disadvantage for species S in terms of the structural integrity of their skin. Step 1: Analyze the context of the passage.
The passage explains the dual nature of the ultra-black skin of species S. On one hand, it provides protection from predators and helps with hunting, but on the other hand, it leads to a fragility in the skin due to lower collagen. Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option (A): “Having ultra-black skin is only advantageous to species S.” This is incorrect because the passage clearly mentions that ultra-black skin has both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages are related to the fragility caused by lower collagen in their skin. - Option (B): “Species S with lower collagen in their skin are at an advantage because it helps them avoid predators.” This is incorrect. The passage explains that lower collagen makes the skin more fragile, not that it helps in avoiding predators. The ultra-black skin helps them avoid predators, not the collagen content. - Option (C): “Having ultra-black skin has both advantages and disadvantages to species S.” This is the correct answer. The passage explicitly mentions that the ultra-black skin provides benefits such as avoiding predators and aiding in hunting, but also has the disadvantage of making the skin more fragile due to reduced collagen. - Option (D): “Having ultra-black skin is only disadvantageous to species S but advantageous only to their predators.” This is incorrect. While the passage acknowledges the fragility of the skin, it does not suggest that the ultra-black skin is solely disadvantageous to species S or that it only benefits predators. Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct logical inference based on the passage is that the ultra-black skin of species S provides both advantages (camouflage and hunting) and disadvantages (fragility due to lower collagen). Hence, the correct answer is (C).