English ACT Aspire Practice Test

What can happen to fish if they are not properly caught by ospreys?

1. They may swim away

2. They become too slippery for the osprey

3. They may remain floating on the water's surface

4. They typically die immediately

The correct answer is: They may swim away

When fish are not properly caught by ospreys, they have the potential to swim away. This is because ospreys, despite their hunting prowess, may miss the fish or fail to securely grasp it. When a fish is not properly caught, it retains its ability to swim, enabling it to escape. This is a critical aspect of natural predator-prey interactions; even a brief moment of escape can provide the fish with the opportunity to evade capture entirely. The other choices do not accurately describe the consequence of improper catching. Fish becoming too slippery is not a typical outcome; rather, their natural slimy texture aids in evasion rather than being a direct result of a failed catch. If a fish is not successfully caught, it would not usually remain floating on the water's surface, as healthy fish will generally swim away. Additionally, the statement that they typically die immediately is misleading, as fish that escape can continue to live and evade further predation. Thus, the most accurate outcome of a failed catch is that the fish may swim away.