The Intricate Web of Spider Silk
Spider silk is an amazing substance. It's stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar, yet it remains lightweight and flexible. Spiders use it for various purposes such as weaving webs, creating egg sacs, and even as a lifeline when they fall.
Scientists believe the silk's remarkable properties come from its complex structure. It's primarily composed of protein fibrils encased in a protein coating. When a spider spins silk, it pulls the silk proteins through a narrow duct that alters the protein structure, transforming it into solid silk. This process is a bit analogous to pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
However, despite years of research, replicating spider silk's strength and versatility in a lab remains elusive. Part of the problem is that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. An allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, seems apt here.
The journey to understanding and possibly replicating spider silk continues. Each thread spun brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of this fascinating material.
1. What is the central idea of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
a. Spiders are solitary creatures.
d. The process of pulling thread through the eye of a needle
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
c. The story of Arachne, the weaver.
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
2. What is the main purpose of the third paragraph?(1 point)
Responses
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
Thats incorrect since the third paragraph (However, despite years of research, replicating spider silk's strength and versatility in a lab remains elusive. Part of the problem is that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. An allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, seems apt here.) doesn't mention anything about a needle.
Apologies for the confusion. You are correct. The main purpose of the third paragraph is to discuss the difficulty in farming spiders and the challenges in replicating spider silk in a lab.
3. How does the text distinguish between the uses of spider silk by spiders and by humans?(1 point)
Responses
a. It states that humans use spider silk for the same purposes as spiders.
d. It shows that humans use spider silk more efficiently than spiders do.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
b. It doesn't distinguish between the uses.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
4. According to the text, why is it difficult to farm spiders for silk?(1 point)
Responses
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
d. The text does not provide this information.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
5. Define "analogous" based on how it's used in the text.(1 point)
Responses
b. Completely identical.
b. Completely identical.
c. Completely different.
c. Completely different.
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
d. Opposite or contrasted.
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects.
6. Identify the analogy used in the text.(1 point)
Responses
a. The relationship between spiders and humans.
a. The relationship between spiders and humans.
b. The process of a spider spinning silk and pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
b. The process of a spider spinning silk and pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
c. The comparison between spider silk and steel.
c. The comparison between spider silk and steel.
d. The story of Arachne.
b. The process of a spider spinning silk and pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
8. How does the author's choice of the word "elusive" in the third paragraph impact the tone of the text?(1 point)
Responses
c. It makes the text sound enthusiastic.
c. It makes the text sound enthusiastic.
d. It doesn't impact the tone of the text.
d. It doesn't impact the tone of the text.
a. It makes the text sound comedic.
a. It makes the text sound comedic.
b. It highlights the difficulty and complexity of the task, making the tone more serious.
b. It highlights the difficulty and complexity of the task, making the tone more serious.
9. How does the allusion to the story of Arachne contribute to the text's meaning?(1 point)
Responses
c. It highlights the solitary nature of spiders.
c. It highlights the solitary nature of spiders.
a. It shows the potential consequences of hubris.
a. It shows the potential consequences of hubris.
b. It illustrates the challenges in farming spiders.
b. It illustrates the challenges in farming spiders.
d. It supports the challenges in replicating spider silk and human hubris in trying to control nature.
d. It supports the challenges in replicating spider silk and human hubris in trying to control nature.
Wait, why? Can you explain it to me so that I have a better understanding?
Certainly! The allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, contributes to the text's meaning in a couple of ways.
First, it serves as a metaphorical comparison between the challenges in replicating spider silk and human hubris. Just as Arachne's arrogance led to her transformation into a spider, humans attempting to replicate spider silk may face obstacles and limitations due to their own hubris and desire to control nature. The story serves as a cautionary tale, implying that attempting to mimic nature's intricate creations may come with consequences.
Second, the allusion highlights the challenges in farming spiders. In the story, Arachne's punishment includes being transformed into a spider, which underscores the solitary nature of spiders. This connects to the idea mentioned earlier in the text that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. By referencing Arachne and her transformation, the text indirectly emphasizes the difficulty of managing and utilizing spiders for large-scale silk production.
Overall, the allusion to the story of Arachne supports the text's exploration of the challenges in replicating spider silk, the potential arrogance humans may have in attempting to control nature, and the difficulties in farming spiders for silk production.
11. Which of the following is the best summary of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
d. The text details the strength of spider silk in comparison to steel.
d. The text details the strength of spider silk in comparison to steel.
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as construction, hunting, and defense.
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as construction, hunting, and defense.
b. The text focuses on how the web of the spider is like an internet connection.
b. The text focuses on how the web of the spider is like an internet connection.
a. The text is about how spiders use their silk to build webs.
d. The text details the strength of spider silk in comparison to steel.
The text only mentions that at the beginning, so I don't think that's an accurate answer, try again please!
Apologies for the confusion. Based on the main points discussed in the text, the most accurate summary would be:
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as weaving webs, creating egg sacs, and as a lifeline, as well as the challenges in replicating its strength and versatility in a lab. It also alludes to the story of Arachne, highlighting the difficulty in farming spiders for silk production.
The Intricate Web of Spider Silk
Spider silk is an amazing substance. It's stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar, yet it remains lightweight and flexible. Spiders use it for various purposes such as weaving webs, creating egg sacs, and even as a lifeline when they fall.
Scientists believe the silk's remarkable properties come from its complex structure. It's primarily composed of protein fibrils encased in a protein coating. When a spider spins silk, it pulls the silk proteins through a narrow duct that alters the protein structure, transforming it into solid silk. This process is a bit analogous to pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
However, despite years of research, replicating spider silk's strength and versatility in a lab remains elusive. Part of the problem is that spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming. An allusion to the story of Arachne, a talented weaver who was turned into a spider for her hubris, seems apt here.
The journey to understanding and possibly replicating spider silk continues. Each thread spun brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of this fascinating material.
Question 1
1. What is the central idea of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
a. Spiders are solitary creatures.
a. Spiders are solitary creatures.
d. The process of pulling thread through the eye of a needle.
d. The process of pulling thread through the eye of a needle.
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
b. The properties of spider silk and the challenges in replicating it.
c. The story of Arachne, the weaver.
c. The story of Arachne, the weaver.
Question 2
2. What is the main purpose of the third paragraph?(1 point)
Responses
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
b. To describe the structure of spider silk and the process by which spiders produce it.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
d. To illustrate the various uses of spider silk.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
a. To discuss the difficulty in farming spiders.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
c. To make an analogy between the creation of spider silk and threading a needle.
Question 3
3. How does the text distinguish between the uses of spider silk by spiders and by humans?(1 point)
Responses
a. It states that humans use spider silk for the same purposes as spiders.
a. It states that humans use spider silk for the same purposes as spiders.
d. It shows that humans use spider silk more efficiently than spiders do.
d. It shows that humans use spider silk more efficiently than spiders do.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
c. It explains that humans are trying to replicate spider silk for various uses, whereas spiders use it for survival.
b. It doesn't distinguish between the uses.
b. It doesn't distinguish between the uses.
Question 4
4. According to the text, why is it difficult to farm spiders for silk?(1 point)
Responses
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
a. Because spiders are dangerous and aggressive.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
b. Because spiders are solitary creatures and don't take well to farming.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
c. Because spider silk is too expensive to farm.
d. The text does not provide this information.
d. The text does not provide this information.
Question 5
5. Define "analogous" based on how it's used in the text.(1 point)
Responses
b. Completely identical.
b. Completely identical.
c. Completely different.
c. Completely different.
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
a. Similar or comparable in certain respects
d. Opposite or contrasted.
d. Opposite or contrasted.
Question 6
6. Identify the analogy used in the text.(1 point)
Responses
a. The relationship between spiders and humans.
a. The relationship between spiders and humans.
b. The process of a spider spinning silk and pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
b. The process of a spider spinning silk and pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
c. The comparison between spider silk and steel.
c. The comparison between spider silk and steel.
d. The story of Arachne.
d. The story of Arachne.
Question 7
7. What text does the author allude to in the fourth paragraph? (1 point)
Responses
b. A scientific journal.
b. A scientific journal.
d. The story of a spider's lifeline.
d. The story of a spider's lifeline.
a. The story of a spider farmer.
a. The story of a spider farmer.
c. The story of Arachne.
c. The story of Arachne.
Question 8
8. How does the author's choice of the word "elusive" in the third paragraph impact the tone of the text?(1 point)
Responses
c. It makes the text sound enthusiastic.
c. It makes the text sound enthusiastic.
d. It doesn't impact the tone of the text.
d. It doesn't impact the tone of the text.
a. It makes the text sound comedic.
a. It makes the text sound comedic.
b. It highlights the difficulty and complexity of the task, making the tone more serious.
b. It highlights the difficulty and complexity of the task, making the tone more serious.
Question 9
9. How does the allusion to the story of Arachne contribute to the text's meaning?(1 point)
Responses
c. It highlights the solitary nature of spiders.
c. It highlights the solitary nature of spiders.
a. It shows the potential consequences of hubris.
a. It shows the potential consequences of hubris.
b. It illustrates the challenges in farming spiders.
b. It illustrates the challenges in farming spiders.
d. It supports the challenges in replicating spider silk and human hubris in trying to control nature.
d. It supports the challenges in replicating spider silk and human hubris in trying to control nature.
Question 10
10. What is the meaning of "hubris" as used in the text?(1 point)
Responses
b. Fear or terror.
b. Fear or terror.
a. Extreme pride or arrogance.
a. Extreme pride or arrogance.
c. Laziness or idleness.
c. Laziness or idleness.
d. Creativity or ingenuity.
d. Creativity or ingenuity.
Question 11
11. Which of the following is the best summary of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
d. The text details the strength of spider silk in comparison to steel.
d. The text details the strength of spider silk in comparison to steel.
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as construction, hunting, and defense.
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as construction, hunting, and defense.
b. The text focuses on how the web of the spider is like an internet connection.
b. The text focuses on how the web of the spider is like an internet connection.
a. The text is about how spiders use their silk to build webs.
a. The text is about how spiders use their silk to build webs.
Question 12
12. The text states that the spider's web can act as an "early warning system" for the spider. How does this idea develop over the course of the text? (1 point)
Responses
b. It develops as the text discusses the various ways that a spider uses its web, including hunting and protecting itself.
b. It develops as the text discusses the various ways that a spider uses its web, including hunting and protecting itself.
c. It develops as the text explains the strength of spider silk.
c. It develops as the text explains the strength of spider silk.
d. It develops as the text compares spider webs to the internet.
d. It develops as the text compares spider webs to the internet.
a. It does not develop; it is only mentioned once.
a. It does not develop; it is only mentioned once.
Question 13
13. The phrase "spider's web can act as an 'early warning system'" is an example of:
(1 point)
Responses
b. An allusion.
b. An allusion.
a. An analogy.
a. An analogy.
c. A simile.
c. A simile.
d. A metaphor.
d. A metaphor.
Question 14
14. How does the author's choice of the word "intricate" in the title shape the tone of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
b. It sets a tone of admiration and fascination for the complexity of spider webs.
b. It sets a tone of admiration and fascination for the complexity of spider webs.
d. It introduces a pessimistic tone.
d. It introduces a pessimistic tone.
a. It creates a suspenseful tone.
a. It creates a suspenseful tone.
c. It generates a humorous tone.
11. Which of the following is the best summary of the text? (1 point)
c. The text explains the many uses of spider silk in different contexts, such as weaving webs, creating egg sacs, and as a lifeline, as well as the challenges in replicating its strength and versatility in a lab. It also alludes to the story of Arachne, highlighting the difficulty in farming spiders for silk production.
12. The text states that the spider's web can act as an "early warning system" for the spider. How does this idea develop over the course of the text? (1 point)
b. It develops as the text discusses the various ways that a spider uses its web, including hunting and protecting itself.
13. The phrase "spider's web can act as an 'early warning system'" is an example of: (1 point)
d. A metaphor.
14. How does the author's choice of the word "intricate" in the title shape the tone of the text? (1 point)
b. It sets a tone of admiration and fascination for the complexity of spider webs.