Simons and Chabris Asked Subjects to Count the Number of Passes

question 21

Multiple Choice

Simons and Chabris asked subjects to count the number of passes in a video of basketball players. Most subjects were surprised that they had failed to spot:

• A) several passes.
• B) a gorilla.
• C) a cheerleader.
• D) Superman.

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Definitions:

Buttress Root

A bracelike root at the base of certain trees that provides upright support.

Pneumatophore

Roots that extend up out of the water in swampy areas and are thought to provide aeration between the atmosphere and submerged roots.

Storage Root

A root modified for the storage of nutrients and energy, typically in the form of carbohydrates, as seen in carrots and beets.

Photosynthetic Root

Roots capable of photosynthesis, typically found in some aquatic plants, allowing them to absorb carbon dioxide directly from their environment.