Question

9. Scientists measured the spine size of a population of cactuses found in an area in 1970. They measured the spine size of the cactus population again in 2015. Which of the statements below best describes the difference in the cactuses at the two time points?
Responses

a
The cactuses in 1970 had smaller spines than the cactuses in 2015.
The cactuses in 1970 had smaller spines than the cactuses in 2015.

b
The cactuses in 1970 had larger spines than the cactuses in 2015.
The cactuses in 1970 had larger spines than the cactuses in 2015.

c
There were more cactuses in 1970 than there were in 2015.
There were more cactuses in 1970 than there were in 2015.

d
There was more variation in spine size in 1970 than there was in 2015.
There was more variation in spine size in 1970 than there was in 2015.

Answer 1

To accurately select the statement that best describes the difference in the cactuses at the two time points, we would need specific data on spine size measurements and the population size or variation information from the studies conducted in 1970 and 2015. However, if we are to choose a statement without that specific data, the listed options focus on comparative differences without any contextual data provided.

If you have access to the measurement results from the 1970 and 2015 studies, you could determine the correct answer by looking at the actual measurements and variation data. Without that data, we can't definitively say which statement is correct.

Could you provide more context or the findings from the studies to assist in arriving at the correct answer?