Question

use the passage to answer the question.

as director of the newly-minted institute of cytology and genetics, belyaev was curious as to how dogs first became domesticated. he decided that to fully understand the process, he must attempt to replicate the early days of domestication. he picked foxes for the experiment because of their close family ties with dogs (both are canids).

what is the key explicit meaning of this passage?

(1 point)

○ belyaev became director of the new institute of cytology and genetics.
○ the purpose of belyaev’s fox experiment was to understand the domestication of dogs.
○ dogs and foxes are both canids and are therefore closely related.
○ the personality differences between dogs and foxes affect their ability to be domesticated.

Explanation:

• Option A: The passage's main focus isn't on Belyaev becoming director, but on his experiment. Eliminate.
• Option B: The passage says Belyaev was curious about dog domestication, decided to replicate it, and picked foxes (due to close relation to dogs) for the experiment. So the purpose of the fox experiment was to understand dog domestication. This matches.
• Option C: The fact that dogs and foxes are canids is a reason for choosing foxes, not the key explicit meaning of the passage. Eliminate.
• Option D: The passage doesn't mention personality differences affecting domestication. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. The purpose of Belyaev’s fox experiment was to understand the domestication of dogs.