Logical Reasoning

PT114 · S4 · Q11 Environmentalist: The complex ecosystem of

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Environmentalist: The complex ecosystem of the North American prairie has largely been destroyed to produce cattle feed.

Conclusion

Returning as much land as possible to an uncultivated state could restore biodiversity without a major decrease in meat production.

Rephrase: The devastation of the North American prairie ecosystem could be largely reversed without significantly decreasing meat production.

Evidence

The prairie ecosystem once supported 30 to 70 million bison.

Bison yield as much meat as cattle.

The natural prairie required neither pesticides, machinery, nor government subsidies.

Evaluate

The conclusion is found at the end of the argument, which is less common for Main Conclusion questions, but it does happen.

The conclusion is indirectly revealed by the premise indicator "since," which introduces the evidence regarding the natural efficiency of the prairie ecosystem. This structure provides support for the claim that reversing prairie devastation could restore biodiversity without significantly impacting meat production. Remember that such premise indicators (FABS: for, after all, because, since) directly show you a premise, and indirectly show you a conclusion (which ever idea is attached to that premise.

Goal

Find the best available meaning match for *returning land to an uncultivated state could restore biodiversity without a major decrease in meat production.*

11.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the environmentalist's main conclusion?

  1. If earlier North American agricultural

    Out of Scope

    This answer introduces the idea of earlier agricultural techniques, which is not directly addressed in the environmentalist's argument.

    6% picked this

  2. Protecting the habitat of wild

    Unsupported Comparison

    This answer suggests a comparison in cost-effectiveness between protecting habitats and raising cattle, which is not explicitly made in the argument.

    4% picked this

  3. The biodiversity of the North

    Too Strong

    This answer assumes intolerable economic consequences, which is not discussed or implied as a criteria in the environmentalist’s argument.

    1% picked this

  4. Preservation of the remaining North

    Out of Scope

    This answer discusses the preservation of bison specifically, which is not the focus of the environmentalist's argument about restoring land to its natural state.

    4% picked this

  5. Correct

    The devastation of the North

    Why this is right

    This answer accurately captures the environmentalist’s conclusion that reversing the devastation of the prairie can restore biodiversity without a significant impact on meat production.

    Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    85% picked this

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