CAT 2020 Slot 3 — VARC Question 21
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Brown et al. (2001) suggest that ‘metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology’. One of the successes of genetic theory is the diversity of theoretical approaches and models that have been developed and applied. A Web of Science (v. 5.9. Thomson Reuters) search on genetic* + theor* + evol* identifies more than 12000 publications between 2005 and 2012. Considering only the 10 most-cited papers within this 12000 publication set, genetic theory can be seen to focus on genome dynamics, phylogenetic inference, game theory and the regulation of gene expression. There is no one fundamental genetic equation, but rather a wide array of genetic models, ranging from simple to complex, with differing inputs and outputs, and divergent areas of application, loosely connected to each other through the shared conceptual foundation of heritable variation.
1. Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and applications and Metabolic theory must have the same in the field of ecology.
2. Genetic theory has evolved to spawn a wide range of theoretical models and applications but Metabolic theory need not evolve in a similar manner in the field of ecology.
3. Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and application and is foundational to evolutionary biology and Metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology.
4. Genetic theory provides an example of how a range of theoretical approaches and applications can make a theory successful.
Answer & solution
Answer: 3
Easy
State the passage’s central idea in one line, then test each option: reject any that distorts the claim, adds an idea the passage never makes, or omits a key point. Keep the option that mirrors both halves of the analogy.
Central idea. Genetic theory is foundational to evolutionary biology and owes its success to a diversity of models and applications. Brown et al. suggest metabolic theory may play the same foundational role for ecology — a stated possibility, not a certainty.
Option 1 — distorts. “Metabolic theory must have the same” overstates a tentative suggestion as a necessity. Eliminate.
Option 2 — reverses. “Metabolic theory need not evolve in a similar manner” contradicts the passage, which draws a parallel, not a contrast. Eliminate.
Option 3 — complete and accurate. It captures both halves: genetic theory has wide approaches/applications and is foundational to evolutionary biology, and metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology. The hedged “potential” matches the original “may provide”. Keep.
Option 4 — omits. It drops metabolic theory and the ecology analogy entirely — the very point of the passage. Eliminate.
The best summary is option 3.