Which choice best states the text’s main idea?
A
The slimy threads that hagfish release might help researchers create a new kind of fabric.
B
Hagfish have inspired researchers to develop a new petroleum-based fabric.
C
Hagfish are not well suited to being raised in captivity.
D
The ability of hagfish to slime their attackers compensates for their being jawless.
Explanation
Correct answer: A.
Choice A is the best answer. The text first describes hagfish slime and its properties, then it transitions to talking about the possibilities of using lab-made equivalents to use in eco-friendly fabrics.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect. The text says the opposite of this choice. The researchers are developing an alternative to petroleum-based fabric.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect. This choice is too narrow to be the main point of the text. Only one line describes how farming would be “potentially harmful” to the hagfish.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect. This choice isn’t supported by the text. We don’t know from the text whether being jawless makes the hagfish more vulnerable.