Question

Paragraph 3,There are over six thousand publications on eels, but the life cycle of these economically important food fish is still murky and has a long history of speculation. For centuries, nobody ever saw a baby eel, and even now, their spawning has not been witnessed. Aristotle presumed that eels grew from earthworms. The first young of eels, transparent leaflike forms, were found in the open Atlantic Ocean. Gradually, as more of these leaflike creatures were collected, it was noted that they varied in size, and that the smallest ones were found south of Bermuda in the Sargasso Sea, which was therefore presumed to be the site of their origin, that is, the eel spawning area.

In paragraph 3, the author states that the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BCE) "presumed that eels grew from earthworms."

What effect does this statement have on readers' understanding of paragraph 3?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
The statement provides an alternative viewpoint that questions modern conclusions about eels.
2.
The statement suggests that human attempts to solve the mystery of the eel life cycle are foolish.
3.
The statement reveals the idea that led to modern understandings about how eels migrate and spawn.
4.
The statement emphasizes that eels have been a source of wonder and interest to people for a very long time.

Answer 1

The statement that Aristotle "presumed that eels grew from earthworms" has the effect of emphasizing that eels have been a source of wonder and interest to people for a very long time. This statement helps to contextualize the long history of speculation about the life cycle of eels and suggests that people have been trying to understand these creatures for centuries. It also highlights the fact that there are many misconceptions and myths about eels that have persisted throughout history.

Answer 2

Option 4: The statement emphasizes that eels have been a source of wonder and interest to people for a very long time.

The statement about Aristotle's belief that eels grow from earthworms serves to highlight the long history of speculation and mystery surrounding the eel life cycle. It suggests that people have been trying to understand eels and their behaviors for centuries, and that there is still much that is unknown about these fish. This helps to establish the context and background of the topic being discussed in the paragraph.