LSAT 104 | Section 2 | Reading Comprehension: Q15

RC Question 15 Explanation

DISCUSSION: The status signaling hypothesis predicts that a bird can show dominance using feathers.

This lets the birds get access to resources, without having to win fights.

The final paragraph helpfully illustrates this hypothesis. Birds act aggressively or submissively, depending on the size of the opposing dummy’s chest stripe. No fight is necessary.

Lines 1-3 describe the resources a high status bird can get access to: food and shelter.

___________

1. We know that high status birds can get more food and shelter (lines 1-3). We don’t know if they can get more mates.
2. CORRECT. Lines 10-16 describe this advantage. If you can show you’re a tough guy, without having to fight, then you get the best of both worlds. You get the benefits of fighting, but you avoid the costs.
3. High status increases access to resources.
4. We’re never told about predators. An eagle is unlikely to be impressed if a titmouse has a large breast stripe. The eagle will still win any fight.
5. We don’t know if status symbols actually make birds better at fighting. They just make them look like they’re better at fighting.
   A guy with big muscles can be a pushover.