Question: I read this background article the other day: While the Grants were on the Galapagos, a drought occurred. As a result, fewer seeds were available for finches to eat. Birds with smaller beaks could crack open and eat only the smaller seeds. Birds with bigger beaks could crack and eat seeds of all sizes. As a result, many of the small-beaked birds died in the drought. Birds with bigger beaks survived and reproduced (see Figure below ). Within 2 years, the average beak size in the finch population increased. Evolution by natural selection had occurred. I am facing a new situation today: Two islands inhabited by many species of finches went through some climatic changes during the past several years. While Park island hat wetter than average years, Boat island experienced years of drought, so many birds died. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which island had fewer small-beaked birds die?
Answer: Park

Question: I read this background article the other day: Parallel slowdown is a phenomenon in parallel computing where parallelization of a parallel algorithm beyond a certain point causes the program to run slower (take more time to run to completion).[1] Parallel slowdown is typically the result of a communications bottleneck. As more processor nodes are added, each processing node spends progressively more time doing communication than useful processing. At some point, the communications overhead created by adding another processing node surpasses the increased processing power that node provides, and parallel slowdown occurs. I am facing a new situation today: John landed a job as an IT manager. His boss asked him to figure out problems in two similar programs, program A and program B. John found program A having parallel slowdown, but program B does not have parallel slowdown. He has to weigh the merits of using these programs. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which program has issue with communication bottleneck, program A or program B?
Answer: program A

Question: I read this background article the other day: Beginning in the late 1970's, ozone depletion was recognized as a significant environmental issue. The most dramatic decrease in ozone occurs seasonally over the continent of Antarctica. The size and duration of the ozone hole steadily increased, with the largest hole recorded in 2006. Fortunately, most countries have recognized the danger of CFCs and dramatically curtailed their use in recent years. It is hoped that ozone depletion will slow and that the ozone layer may eventually be restored to its earlier levels. I am facing a new situation today: Ben and Harry were studying about the climatic history of Earth. Ben was more attracted to learning about early Ice Ages, while Harry was curious about the Earth atmosphere and read about ozone depletion and its consequences. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which person learned more about the duration of the ozone hole over Antarctica?
Answer:
Harry