Question 16

The female makes a clicking sound.

After the male cicada calls to the female, she responds with a clicking sound when she is ready to mate. This response occurs before any mating or egg-laying takes place.

A) The female makes a clicking sound.

This option is correct because the passage explicitly states that female cicadas respond to the male's call with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate, thus directly following the male cicada's call.

B) The female deposits the eggs.

This option is incorrect because the deposition of eggs occurs after mating has taken place. The passage outlines that the female cicada deposits eggs into the bark after mating, making this event occur later in the sequence.

C) Nymphs drop to the ground.

This option is also incorrect. The passage explains that nymphs drop to the ground after the eggs hatch, which is a separate event that occurs long after the initial calling and clicking response between the male and female cicadas.

D) The male and female mate in the trees.

This option is incorrect as well. While mating does occur in trees, it follows the female's response to the male's call. Therefore, it is not the first event after the male cicada calls.

Conclusion

The correct answer is A, as the passage clearly states that the female cicada's clicking sound is the immediate response to the male’s call. All other options describe events that occur later, thus confirming that A is the only appropriate choice following the sequence outlined in the text.