From the passage about ants, choose the option that correctly states the main purpose served by male ants.

Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question focuses on the role of male ants within a colony. The passage clearly states that male ants have a very limited purpose and do not live long. Many exam takers may confuse the roles of male ants and worker ants, so understanding this distinction is important for both biology knowledge and comprehension practice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The passage mentions three types of ants in each species: the queen, the sterile female workers, and males.

It states that the male ants only serve one purpose.

This single purpose is to mate with future queen ants.

The passage adds that male ants do not live very long.

Tasks such as food collection and nest defence are associated with worker ants, not male ants.

Concept / Approach:

To answer this question, you need to recall the specific sentence about male ants in the passage. It emphasises their reproductive role and their short lifespan. Any answer choice that adds duties like protecting the colony or gathering food is incorrect because it contradicts the passage. The correct option must mention mating with future queen ants and only this, since the passage says they serve only one purpose.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the line: The male ants only serve one purpose, to mate with future queen ants and do not live very long. Step 2: Examine option a: To lay eggs for the colony. In ant colonies, the queens lay eggs, not the males. Step 3: Examine option b: To protect the colony from enemies. This protective role is usually carried out by workers. Step 4: Examine option c: To mate with future queen ants. This exactly repeats the role described in the passage. Step 5: Examine option d: To live a long life and guide the workers. The passage states the opposite; male ants do not live very long. Step 6: Examine option e: To collect food for the nurseries. Food collection is the task of worker ants. Step 7: Conclude that option c is the only option that fully matches the passage.

Verification / Alternative check:

Reviewing the paragraph that discusses the types of ants will show that only the queen is responsible for laying eggs, the workers carry out duties such as building, cleaning, and gathering food, and the males have the single role of mating with future queens. No other functions are assigned to male ants in that section. This confirms that mating with future queen ants is their primary and only purpose.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option a wrongly assigns egg laying to male ants, contradicting basic biology and the passage.

Option b invents a protective duty for males that is not mentioned in the text.

Option d directly contradicts the passage by claiming that males live a long life.

Option e misattributes the food gathering role of worker ants to males.

Common Pitfalls:

Candidates sometimes rely on general knowledge about animal behaviour or guess which role seems important instead of returning to the passage. Since the question uses the phrase according to the passage, the answer must be based strictly on the text. Learning to separate the roles of queens, workers, and males in social insects also strengthens science knowledge for other exams.

Final Answer:

According to the passage, the main purpose of male ants is to mate with future queen ants.