While Eyes with Lenses have Developed Independently in a Diverse Group of Animal Species, Focusing Processes Differ.

Reading passage question

Question: While eyes with lenses have developed independently in a diverse group of animal species, focusing processes differ. In fish, the whole lens moves closer to the retina when focusing on objects that are far away. Predatory birds have developed a way of keeping their prey in focus while sweeping down on it: instead of the lens moving, the curvature of the cornea, the flexible transparent membrane covering the lens and supporting the eyeball, changes. Mammals, including humans, have evolved a method of focusing by changing the curvature of the lens itself—decreasing it for distant objects and increasing it for close ones. Evolution has also resulted in the gradual development of binocular vision—the shifting of the eyes’ position from the side of the head to the front. This enables the brain to fuse the images processed separately by each eye into a single, three-dimensional image.

Color reception also evolved independently, albeit intermittently. Honeybees, for example, are color-blind to red but can discern other colors. Experiments have shown that some teleost, or bony fish, can distinguish colors. Primates, most notably humans, have this ability, as do a few other mammal species.

“While eyes with lenses have developed independently in a diverse group of animal species, focusing processes differ.”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 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 primary purpose of the passage is to

1. discuss the variety of evolutionary paths taken by the eye
2. examine the visual process of mammals
3. demonstrate the color-adaptability of certain animals
4. portray the function of eye curvature in predatory birds
5. indicate the range of knowledge about vision

Question 2
It can be inferred from the passage that eyesight in predatory birds developed

1. according to the variety of thickness of membranes that surround the eye
2. to support the different mechanisms required for viewing objects at different distances
3. in a way that aids in the hunting of prey
4. to allow for the primary feature of color differentiation
5. as a means of choosing an attractive mate

Question 3
According to the passage, the focusing process of fish differs from that of predatory birds in that for fish the process involves

1. the movement of the lens closer to the retina, whereas in predatory birds the process involves changes in the curvature of the lens itself
2. the movement of the lens away from the retina, whereas in predatory birds the process involves the movement of the lens closer to the cornea
3. the movement of the eyes from the side to the front of the head, whereas in predatory birds process does not involve eye movement
4. changes in color perception, whereas in predatory birds the process does not require color perception
5. changes in the distance between the lens and the retina, whereas in predatory birds the process involves changes in the curvature of the cornea

Question 4
According to the passage, if a mammal were to focus on an approaching object, an examination of its eyes would reveal

1. an increasing corneal curvature
2. a thinning of the transparent membrane surrounding the cornea
3. an increasing curvature of the lens
4. an increasing lens-retina distance ratio
5. a broadening of the lens

Question 5
According to the passage, some teleost possess which of the following?

1. Eyes with lenses
2. Binocular vision
3. The ability to perceive color

1. None
2. I and II only
3. I and III only
4. II and III only
5. I, II, and III

Question 6
The description of color reception in the second paragraph relies on which of the following assumptions?

1. Reliable tests exist for determining an animal's ability to perceive color.
2. Honeybees do not need to perceive color in order to survive.
3. Teleost and primates perceive colors in a similar manner.
4. Color reception requires the ability to focus on distant objects.
5. Most animals are capable of perceiving certain colors.

Question 7
The passage is most likely an excerpt from

1. an academic paper
2. a biology textbook
3. a journal for optometrists
4. a wildlife field guide
5. a newspaper article about color blindness

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