Which term describes a prolonged period of dormancy?

Which term describes a prolonged period of dormancy?

• A. Hibernate
• B. Undulation
• C. Concertina
• D. Ambush

Answer: (A)

Prolonged dormancy is shown by animals entering a state of extended rest to survive harsh conditions. The term that describes going into that long dormancy is hibernate—the action of entering that dormant state. When an animal hibernates, its metabolism slows, body temperature drops, and activity nearly stops for weeks or months. The noun form of the idea is hibernation, but the verb form hibernate is the word used to describe the process itself, which is why it fits best here. The other words don’t describe this concept: undulation means wave-like motion, concertina refers to a folding pattern or the instrument, and ambush means a surprise attack.