|Question 22Verbal

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Why do jungle cats purr but lions roar? Researchers hypothesize that this difference between the two feline species may be partly due to a U-shaped bone in their throats called the hyoid. Jungle cats, which are much smaller than lions, have a rigid hyoid that rumbles when the cat's larynx vibrates, resulting in a purr. By contrast, lions have a somewhat flexible hyoid, and the bone is attached to the skull with a stretchy ligament that jungle cats lack. These traits allow lions and most other species of big cats to produce powerful roars. The same traits may also prevent most big cats from purring.
According to the text, which trait do researchers think may contribute to a jungle cat's ability to purr?
The relative size of the jungle cat's body and throat
A
The ligament attaching the hyoid bone to the jungle cat's skull
B
The jungle cat's rigid hyoid bone
C
The shape of the jungle cat's larynx
D