Diagnostic Test 11 Practice Test

Biologist Priya Nanduri proposes that declining day length—rather than dropping temperature—triggers the onset of migratory restlessness in monarch butterflies. She notes that in temperate regions shorter photoperiods predictably precede autumn migration, while temperatures can fluctuate unpredictably. Critics argue that butterflies respond to cold snaps, not light cues. Nanduri counters that to distinguish the cues, researchers must isolate photoperiod from temperature in controlled settings. If shorter day length alone initiates migratory behaviors, then monarchs under constant, moderate temperatures should still show pre-migratory activity when exposed to autumn-like light schedules. Conversely, if temperature is decisive, changing the light schedule without cooling should not matter.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the scholar's claim?

An urban climatologist argues that installing reflective 'cool roofs' will reduce a city's summer energy demand more effectively than planting sparse new street trees, because roof area is vast and albedo changes act immediately. The claim does not deny the many benefits of trees but emphasizes near-term grid impacts during heat waves. Skeptics counter that shade from even modest canopy can substantially cool buildings and streets. To evaluate the claim, researchers look for evidence comparing peak electricity reductions attributable to each intervention under similar conditions, accounting for weather and building stock. If cool roofs consistently produce larger peak load reductions than modest canopy gains, the climatologist's argument is strengthened.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the scholar's claim?