Question

Which of the following statements CANNOT be inferred from the passage?

• A. Ancestors of Homo sapiens exploited resources in groups.
• B. Ancestors of Homo sapiens sensed numbers.
• C. Ancestors of Homo sapiens hunted in groups.
• D. Ancestors of Homo sapiens interacted solely using numbers.
• E. Ancestors of Homo sapiens used numerical competence.
• A. Bacteria multiply only till they reach their required numbers.
• B. Bacteria chat only when they are in groups.
• C. Bacteria communicate only in numerical terms with others.
• D. Bacteria do not communicate beyond certain numbers.
• J. Bacteria respond when they discern enough numbers around them.
• A. No one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.
• B. Teams fear a red card as it would present an advantage for the opponents.
• C. Politicians rally with numbers to woo their undecided voters.
• D. People protest in large numbers because it helps them get their voices heard.
• O. To de-escalate a border tension, countries carry out mirror deployment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The passage discusses the various ways in which numerical competence aids in survival, indicating that ancestors of Homo sapiens likely utilized numerical skills in a similar manner. Let's analyze each option to determine which cannot be inferred from the passage:

• Ancestors of Homo sapiens exploited resources in groups: The passage mentions numerical competence helps in exploiting food sources, suggesting group resource exploitation could be inferred.
• Ancestors of Homo sapiens sensed numbers: Examples of animals sensing numbers, like bacteria sensing other bacteria, support this inference.
• Ancestors of Homo sapiens hunted in groups: Using numbers to hunt prey is discussed, making this a reasonable inference.
• Ancestors of Homo sapiens interacted solely using numbers: The passage does not provide evidence to support exclusive numerical interactions; hence, this cannot be inferred.
• Ancestors of Homo sapiens used numerical competence: The passage explicitly states the benefits of numerical competence for survival, making this inferable.

Therefore, the statement that cannot be inferred from the passage is: "Ancestors of Homo sapiens interacted solely using numbers."

Answer 2

Based on the provided passage, the concept of "quorum sensing" in bacteria refers to a communication method whereby bacteria respond when they detect a sufficient number of similar organisms around them. This is achieved through the release and detection of signaling molecules, which accumulate in concentration as the number of bacteria increases. Once a threshold, or quorum, is reached, a collective response is triggered. This mechanism allows bacteria to "sense" their population density and coordinate behavior accordingly.

The passage explains that when bacteria such as Vibrio fisher reach a certain population density, they produce light through bioluminescence. This demonstrates that quorum sensing is about bacteria recognizing when there are enough of them present to justify a coordinated action.

Therefore, the statement that best defines "quorum sensing" is:

Bacteria respond when they discern enough numbers around them.

Answer 3

To determine which statement is NOT based on the premises of the passage, we must first understand the key themes and arguments presented in the passage.

The passage discusses the concept of using numerical information and its benefits for survival, which can be observed in both animals and bacteria. Specifically, it highlights the behavior of bacteria, such as Vibrio fisher, that use quorum sensing — a method of communication through signaling molecules to assess the presence of other bacteria based on cell number.

Now, let's evaluate each option against the contents of the passage:

Option	Relation to Passage
No one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.	This statement suggests the necessity of teamwork to achieve a goal, but it does not relate to the passage's discussion on numerical competence, survival, or quorum sensing.
Teams fear a red card as it would present an advantage for the opponents.	This reflects an understanding of numerical advantage (number of players), which is aligned with the theme of numerical competence providing survival advantage.
Politicians rally with numbers to woo their undecided voters.	This implies using numbers to influence outcomes, which is comparable to the idea of survival advantage through numerical representation in social interactions.
People protest in large numbers because it helps them get their voices heard.	This is consistent with the theme of employing numbers to achieve a goal, similar to quorum sensing to enact a response.
To de-escalate a border tension, countries carry out mirror deployment.	This strategy involves numerical considerations to maintain balance, analogous to maintaining equilibrium in animal social interactions.

From the evaluation, the statement that does not directly relate to the themes and examples provided in the passage is: No one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.