Logical Reasoning

PT137 · S4 · Q23 Biologists found that off

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Biologists found that off the northeast coast of a certain country the P-plankton population has recently dropped 10 percent.

Apparent Paradox

Biologists found that off the northeast coast of a certain country the P-plankton population has recently dropped 10 percent.

Additionally, fish species X, Y, and Z are beginning to show extraordinarily high death rates in the region.

Since these species of fish are known to sometimes eat P-plankton, biologists believe the two phenomena are connected, but the exact nature of the connection is unknown.

No other species in the ecosystem appear to be affected.

Evaluate

Perhaps fish species X, Y, and Z are dependent on P-plankton for their food supplies. Or perhaps both P-plankton and fish species X, Y, and Z are all being attacked by the same virus. There are many possible ways the drop in P-plankton could be impacting the fish species X, Y, and Z. Of course it could also be that P-plankton are dependent on the fish species, and the death of those fish could be reducing the P-plankton population.

23.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the biologists' findings?

  1. Several major pharmaceutical companies in

    Too Weak

    Since this has been occurring for many years, why hasn’t this affected the P-plankton or fish species previously.

    0% picked this

  2. Correct

    A new strain of bacteria

    Why this is right

    This shows a connection between the drop in P-plankton and the death of the species X, Y, and Z.

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

    71% picked this

  3. A powerful toxin in the

    Half Scope

    This explains the drop in P-plankton, but does not help explain the death of fish species X, Y, and Z.

    3% picked this

  4. Fish species X, Y, and

    Half Scope

    This might explain the death of fish species X, Y, and Z, but it does not explain the loss of P-plankton.

    25% picked this

  5. Global warming has changed the

    Too Weak

    This does not establish that the drop in P-plankton or the death of the fish species is related to the change in climatic conditions of the ocean all along the northeast coast of the country.

    0% picked this

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