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Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________
Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?
  • a)
    some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.
  • b)
    using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.
  • c)
    animals spend more time on handling  food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.
  • d)
    under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.
  • e)
    the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Verified Answer
Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively larg...
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
N/A
Pre-Thinking Approach
The question stem asks us to logically complete the given passage. Just before the missing portion, the author offers an explanation for the cited behavior observed in animals. It is to expand on this explanation that the author begins to cite an example which has been omitted from the passage. Hence, the missing portion will act as a premise for the cited conclusion. Accordingly, let’s see how we can increase our belief in the conclusion.  To do so, we will look at the logical structure, focusing on linkage 1 and the conclusion. The way to strengthen the conclusion will be to provide a piece of evidence that strengthens this linkage.
Linkage#1
Strengthener – Any reason that shows foraging behavior in animals that confirms the proposed hypothesis.
  • Instance: Animals obtain small amount of energy in short period of time and large amount of energy in comparatively larger period of time.
With this understanding, let us evaluate the option statements.
Answer Choices
A
some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
This option provides instances that highlight the different foraging behavior in different animals. However, this does not explain how the net energy intake is maximized per unit time.
B
using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
This option only talks about the foraging behavior in certain cases but does not help establish how the net energy per unit time is maximized.
C
animals spend more time on handling  food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.
Correct
This option is written as per the instance given in our pre-thinking. It shows how animals obtain maximize net energy obtained by balancing the time invested in handling the prey.
D
under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
This option talks about a different reason behind a different kind of foraging behavior displayed by animals and is, hence, irrelevant to the proposed explanation.
E
the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Like choice D, this choice too talks about a different explanation and is hence not relevant to the argument at hand. 
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Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Animals eat a wide variety of food, sometimes taking a relatively large amount of time in handling the prey, an activity that includes capturing, killing, eating and digesting the food, and sometimes a relatively short amount of time. Probably, the reason behind such behavior is that animals make feeding choices based on the goal to maximize their net energy intake per unit time, leaving them with more time and energy for other important activities such as finding a mate or caring for an offspring; for instance, __________________________Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the above argument?a)some species of insects are ultimate feeding specialists, feeding only on a single plant species, whereas certain animals such as the opossum eat everything from insects and berries to garbage.b)using their biological reaction to a certain food item as a guide, some animals sometimes make the decision to avoid a particular prey altogether.c)animals spend more time on handling food items that provide more kilocalories, and less on food that provides relatively fewer kilocalories.d)under the risk of predation, animals sometimes select such preys that may not be their first choice but that are safer to consume as these preys lie in relatively predator free regions.e)the foraging behavior of animals is determined by the phenomenon of natural selection in which certain biological traits become either more or less common as a species goes through the process of evolution.Correct answer is option 'C'. 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