Shimmering is a collective defense behavior that researchers have observed in giant honeybee colonies. When shimmering, different groups of bees flip their bodies up and down in what looks like waves. This defense is initiated when hornets hover near a colony, serving to deter the hornets from approaching the bees. Researchers hypothesize that this behavior is a specialized defense response to hornets, as it is not observed when other, larger predators approach the colony.

Question

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) Hornets are known to be the main predator of giant honeybees.
A
Hornets are known to be the main predator of giant honeybees.
(Choice B) Several different species of insects use shimmering to defend against hornets.
B
Several different species of insects use shimmering to defend against hornets.
(Choice C) Researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets.
C
Researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets.
(Choice D) Researchers are unsure how giant honeybees defend against predators larger than hornets.
D
Researchers are unsure how giant honeybees defend against predators larger than hornets.

Answer 1

The choice that best states the main idea of the text is:

(Choice C) Researchers think that shimmering in giant honeybees is a specific defense against hornets.

This choice accurately reflects the main focus of the text, which discusses shimmering as a specialized defense behavior in response to hornets specifically.