The student wants to summarize the study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A
For a 2019 study, researchers from the UK and Germany collected data on auks’ attempts to land at cliffside nesting sites in different wind conditions.
B
Emily Shepard and her colleagues wanted to know the extent to which wind affected auks’ success in landing at cliffside nesting sites, so they conducted a study.
C
Knowing that auks often need multiple attempts to land at their cliffside nesting sites, Emily Shepard studied the birds’ success rate, which was only around 20% in some conditions.
D
Emily Shepard’s 2019 study of auks’ success in landing at cliffside nesting sites showed that as wind conditions intensified, the birds’ success rate decreased.
Explanation
Correct answer: D.
Choice D is the best answer. The sentence effectively summarizes the study, noting who conducted it, when it was conducted, and what its results showed: that auks’ landing success rate decreased as wind conditions intensified.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence presents the methodology of the study—that is, the approach taken by the researchers—it fails to summarize the study as a whole.
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence presents the aim, or goal, of the study, it fails to summarize the study as a whole.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect. While the sentence indicates what Shepard studied, it fails to mention a key factor: the effect of wind. It thus fails to summarize the study as a whole.