Why Ants Walk in a Line
Written by Studio AM.
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You may see a line of ants travelling between food and their nest. In many species, ants organize these journeys by leaving chemical trails. They do not need one ant to direct the whole group.
The first ant was wandering. When it found the crumb it turned for home, and as it walked it left a faint chemical trail on the ground behind it. Ants can follow that smell. The next ant crosses the trail, turns onto it, finds the food, and walks home leaving its own smell on top. The trail gets stronger each time it is used.
This feedback can favor a short route. If ants complete more trips along it in the same time, they can add more trail scent. And when the crumb is gone, the ants stop adding smell. Without fresh scent, the old trail gradually fades. Nobody gives the order to stop. Fewer ants follow a trail that no longer leads to food.
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Questions
Choose an answer. The explanation appears after you answer.
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Question 1 of 4
In this passage, a "trail" is
The answer is A: a narrow path of smell left on the ground
The chemical trail is a path left on the ground for other ants to follow.
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Question 2 of 4
Why can a shorter route become more strongly marked?
The answer is C: Ants may complete more trips and add more trail scent.
The passage connects a shorter journey with more completed trips and more added scent.
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Question 3 of 4
What is the main idea of the passage?
The answer is B: Chemical trails can organize food journeys without one ant directing the group.
The passage explains how ants follow, strengthen, and stop renewing chemical trails.
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Question 4 of 4
According to the passage, what happens after the crumb is gone?
The answer is D: The ants stop adding smell and the trail disappears.
The ants stop renewing the trail, and its scent gradually fades.
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