Question

Cats spend much of their time sleeping; they seem to awaken only to stretch and yawn. Yet they have a strong, agile musculature that most animals would have to exercise strenuously to acquire.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox described above?

A. Cats have a greater physiological need for sleep than other animals.
B. Many other animals also spend much of their time sleeping yet have a strong, agile musculature.
C. Cats are able to sleep in apparently uncomfortable positions.
D. Cats derive ample exercise from frequent stretching.
E. Cats require strength and agility in order to be effective predators.

Answer 1

The strong and agile musculature of cats can be explained by their need for strength and agility as predators.

Step-by-step explanation:

The apparent paradox of cats spending a lot of time sleeping but having strong, agile musculature can be resolved by the fact that cats require strength and agility to be effective predators. Cats, as predators, need to be able to pounce, chase, and capture their prey, and having strong and agile muscles enables them to do so.

Additionally, cats also engage in stretching and yawning when they awaken, which helps to further exercise their muscles. Stretching helps to improve flexibility and range of motion while yawning helps to oxygenate the muscles and increase blood flow.

Therefore, the most relevant option that helps to resolve the paradox is option E: Cats require strength and agility to be effective predators.