Passage 145
When selecting a nest, the female of the river blenny (a small fish) appears to be sensitive to both size and orientation. Blennies deposit their eggs preferably in nests under large stones and in nests facing southeast. Southeast-facing nests contain larger egg clutches, a fact that cannot be completely explained by differences in nest stone sizes. Moreover, in a recent study, current speeds upstream of the nest and at the nest entrance were similar for nests facing southeast and those facing in other directions. A southeast-facing entrance per se thus seems to be the specific nest feature preferred by females, rather than the effect of selective positioning on current at nest entrance. The reasons for this preference are unclear, however.
1. The passage is concerned with which of the following
A. determining the different ways in which current speeds can influence the nesting preferences of female river blennies
B. establishing nest orientation as a determining factor in egg laying among female river blennies
C. questioning the importance of nest size as an influence on egg laying among female river blennies
D. comparing the features of female river blennies that face southeast with those of nests facing in other directions
E. examining how female river blennies determine the relative importance of nest size versus nest orientation
2. The author of the passage considers “current speeds” in order to
A. identify a factor that undermines the significance of nest stone size for female river blennies
B. indicate one possible advantage of river blenny nests that do not face southeast
C. eliminate a possible explanation for a nest orientation tendency among female river blennies
D. indicate why female river blennies are sensitive to both size and orientation of possible nests
E. suggest a reason why many female blennies prefer southeast-facing nests
