The parasitic dodder plant increases its reproductive success by ﬂowering at the same time as the host plant it has latched
onto. In 2020, Jianqiang Wu and his colleagues determined that the tiny dodder achieves this ______ with its host by
absorbing and utilizing a protein the host produces when it is about to ﬂower.
synchronization
hibernation
prediction
moderation
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of a relationship between the dodder
plant and its host plant. As used in this context, “synchronization” means the act of things happening at the same time. The
text indicates that the dodder and its host plant ﬂower in unison and that this synchronization occurs because the dodder
makes use of a protein produced by the host shortly before ﬂowering.
Choice B is incorrect because referring to “hibernation,” or the state of being dormant or inactive, wouldn’t make sense in
context. The text focuses on something the dodder plant actively engages in—making use of a protein and producing
ﬂowers. Choice C is incorrect because stating that the dodder plant and its host engage together in “prediction,” or the act of
declaring or indicating something in advance, wouldn’t make sense in context. Rather than indicating that the dodder plant
and its host plant make a prediction about ﬂowering activity, the text suggests that the host produces a protein as part of its
regular ﬂowering process and that the dodder then absorbs and uses that protein to ﬂower at the same time. Choice D is
incorrect because referring to “moderation,” or the act of causing something to become less intense or extreme, wouldn’t
make sense in context. Although the text states that the dodder plant absorbs and uses a protein made by its host plant, it
doesn’t suggest that the dodder lessens the host plant’s ﬂowering activity; the two plants simply ﬂower in unison.