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Item EM054006: Spur length varies within a population of columbine flowers. (Recognize a statement that describes the variability shown in a bar graph.)

The columbine is a flowering plant with long projections called "spurs" that contain nectar. Nectar is a sweet tasting liquid that attracts insects and animals. The organisms that feed on the nectar are called pollinators, because they move pollen from male to female flowers during this feeding process. The graph below shows spur length in a sample from a columbine population.

Left: Diagram of a columbine flower and a pollinator feeding on nectar in a spur. Right: Graph of spur length in a sample from a columbine population.

Which of the following claims about spur length does this graph support?

  1. Spur length is changing over time.
  2. Spur length varies among individuals in the population.
  3. Spur length is undergoing natural selection in the population.
  4. Spur length is the same throughout the population
Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item 054006
Points Earned
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 351 558 63%
Grades
  6–8 13 25 52%
  9–12 316 498 63%
Gender
  Male15524364%
  Female16727461%
Primary Language
  English31550263%
  Other121963%

View data table

Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item 054006
Points Earned
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 189 294 64%
Grades
  6–8 14 23 61%
  9–12 161 247 65%
Gender
  Male7110965%
  Female10817163%
Primary Language
  English17026464%
  Other4944%

View data table

Distribution of Responses
Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item 054006
Points Earned
Group Correct Total Percent
Overall 205 281 73%
Grades
  6–8 3 3 100%
  9–12 185 257 72%
Gender
  Male9713273%
  Female10014071%
Primary Language
  English18725474%
  Other61155%

View data table