Cichlids Fear Their Own Reflection

[keannu]

It's a question of a mock-up test. Is the answer 1 because the whole paragraph focuses on its behavior when ciclids encounter its own reflection? But the paragraph is also saying it can attack other fish as well as its own, so the theme also seems to imply its aggressiveness. So many chose the answer 2. This was made by a Korean, so he may have his subjective view of the theme, and it's confusing whether the theme is 1 or 2. What do you think?

ex) Q:What is the theme of this writing? Answer :1
Male cichlids are mainly freshwater fish that may go after other fish that dare cross their path. A male cichlid will even lunge if that "other fish" happens to be himself; When some types of these cichlids see their own reflections in a mirror, they respond as aggressively as when they encounter an opponent that is a real fish. A new study suggests that even though these two situations may look the same, a cichlid's brain actually reacts differently in each case. When the fish went after its own reflection, the scientists found that its brain was expecially active in a region that is associated with fear and other negative emotions. When the male cichlids went after other fish, they didn't have that same activity in the region.
1)Cichlids Fear Their Own Reflection.
2)Cichlids: One of the Most Aggressive Fish.

[Gillnetter]

It's a question of a mock-up test. Is the answer 1 because the whole paragraph focuses on its behavior when ciclids encounter its own reflection? But the paragraph is also saying it can attack other fish as well as its own, so the theme also seems to imply its aggressiveness. So many chose the answer 2. This was made by a Korean, so he may have his subjective view of the theme, and it's confusing whether the theme is 1 or 2. What do you think?

ex) Q:What is the theme of this writing? Answer :1
Male cichlids are mainly freshwater fish that may go after other fish that dare cross their path. A male cichlid will even lunge if that "other fish" happens to be himself; When some types of these cichlids see their own reflections in a mirror, they respond as aggressively as when they encounter an opponent that is a real fish. A new study suggests that even though these two situations may look the same, a cichlid's brain actually reacts differently in each case. When the fish went after its own reflection, the scientists found that its brain was expecially active in a region that is associated with fear and other negative emotions. When the male cichlids went after other fish, they didn't have that same activity in the region.
1)Cichlids Fear Their Own Reflection.
2)Cichlids: One of the Most Aggressive Fish.

Answer #1 could not be a possible answer. It is never mentioned in the text that Cichlids are afraid of anything. It is repeatedly mentioned that Cichlids are aggressive. Aggression is not the same as fear.

[keannu]

Answer #1 could not be a possible answer. It is never mentioned in the text that Cichlids are afraid of anything. It is repeatedly mentioned that Cichlids are aggressive. Aggression is not the same as fear.

You said "It is repeatedly mentioned that Cichlids are aggressive.", then why can #2 be the second possible answer?

[Raymott]

You said "It is repeatedly mentioned that Cichlids are aggressive.", then why can #2 be the second possible answer?

#2 can't be the second possible answer. Given that #1 is not possible, #2 must either be the only possible answer, or not a possible answer at all.

I can't see that the main theme of that passage is reflected in either of answers given.
How about
#3: Even though attacks on other fish and on their own reflections look similar, the pattern of brain activity at the time is different.

[keannu]

#2 can't be the second possible answer. Given that #1 is not possible, #2 must either be the only possible answer, or not a possible answer at all.

I can't see that the main theme of that passage is reflected in either of answers given.
How about
#3: Even though attacks on other fish and on their own reflections look similar, the pattern of brain activity at the time is different.

Awesome!! I think a Korean test maker made an awkward question. yours is perfect!!!