Mitochondrial DNA from Both Ancient and Modern Chicken Specimens may Provide Evidence about the Origin of these Birds in South America.

Reading Passage Question

Mitochondrial DNA from both ancient and modern chicken specimens may provide evidence about the origin of these birds in South America. Cooper’s contradiction of Storey’s hypothesis that the chicken was introduced to the region by traveling Polynesians hundreds of years ago is bolstered by evidence that chickens found in the two regions are genetically distinct. Cooper also challenges Burley’s contention that Polynesians must have reached the New World because they found Easter Island and share common flora, such as the bottle gourd and sweet potato, with South America. Cooper’s claim that a connection between the South Pacific islands and the South American continent does not exist is based upon his team’s comparison of the DNA from chicken bones collected at Polynesian archaeological sites and feathers from modern Polynesian chickens with the DNA of both ancient and modern South American chickens.

However, modern DNA has limited applicability in determining the origin of a species in one part of the world. For instance, chickens, among other animals and objects, moved around the world as people traveled; the chickens on the Pacific Islands today do not necessarily represent those that existed in the region several centuries ago. Furthermore, Cooper’s belief severs the historical connection between the regions and displaces the South American plants that are generally accepted as products of Polynesian trade. Therefore, Cooper’s dispute may require a broader view of the strong research supporting both sides of the chicken origin debate.

“Mitochondrial DNA from both ancient and modern chicken specimens may provide evidence about the origin of these birds in South America.” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

Question 1
The author of the passage mentions plants that are common to both South America and Polynesia most likely in order to

1. suggest that DNA evidence is mainly useful for comparing modern species
2. point out a potential challenge to the idea that South American chickens did not originate in Polynesia
3. suggest that animals were involved in local, as opposed to international, trade
4. suggest that the chicken probably arrived in South America not from Polynesia but from another region
5. provide evidence that disproves Cooper’s claim about the South American chicken’s origin

Question 2
The passage suggests which of the following about Cooper’s DNA evidence?

1. It did not provide a definitive indication of whether Polynesians traded with South Americans.
2. It demonstrated that modern chickens in Polynesia were not related to ancient South American chickens.
3. It used primarily modern, rather than ancient, genetic material.
4. It is consistent with the prevailing theory regarding plants that occur in Polynesia and South America.
5. It bolstered the theory that Polynesians introduced chickens to South America.

Question 3
According to the passage, Cooper and Burley disagree on which of the following points?

1. Whether voyaging Polynesians traveled to South America
2. The idea that the South American sweet potato exists in Polynesia
3. The time period in which chickens appeared in South America
4. How Polynesians located Easter Island
5. The extent to which modern DNA is useful in ascertaining the regional origin of a species

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