Members of large-animal species

Answer choices

1. A

   Too Strong3% picked this

   The maximum population size that an animal species could maintain on any given amount of food is the main factor determining whether

   Too Strong: main factor Out of Scope: max population size We know that the amount of food large animals need to consume is a causal factor affecting their vulnerability to extinction. But we don't have support for saying it's the MAIN factor. We also never talked about "maximum population size".

   3%
2. B

   Correct85% picked this

   The vulnerability of an animal species to extinction depends at least in part on how much food individuals of that

   Why this is right

   This is the only answer choice that avoids extreme language (so if we hadn't read the paragraph, we would guess this answer). This is rewarding us for recognizing that Causal Difference-Maker connection between the 2nd and 3rd sentences. We were told that the fact that large animals need lots of food to survive (which can be hindered by deteriorating climate), helps make them more vulnerable to extinction. This answer is super weakly worded, which is very attractive because it's easier to prove/support weak claims. It's just saying that a species' vulnerability to extinction is at least somewhat affected by how much food they need to survive.

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

   85%
3. C

   Too Strong: no1% picked this

   When conditions deteriorate in a given environment, no small-animal species will become extinct unless some large-animal

   We know that large animals are more likely to become extinct when climate deteriorates and food becomes scarce, but it's way too strong to say that not a single small animal species will go extinct until a large animal species goes extinct.

   1%
4. D

   Too Strong: any / primarily5% picked this

   Within any given species, the prospects for survival of any particular individual depend primarily on the amount of

   We know that the amount of food large animals need to consume is a causal factor affecting their vulnerability to extinction. But we don't have support for saying that within every single species it's the primary determinant of survival. Just because it's the only thing mentioned in the paragraph doesn't mean that food supply is the only or the #1 thing.

   5%
5. E

   Too Strong: whenever6% picked this

   Whenever climatic conditions in a given environment are bad enough to threaten large-animal species with extinction, small-animal species are able to

   We know that large animals are more likely to become extinct when climate deteriorates and food becomes scarce, but it's way too strong to say when climate is threatening large species, every single small animal species is still able to find enough food.

   6%