Logical Reasoning

PT14 · S2 · Q6 Some scientists believe that the relationship

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Some scientists believe that the relationship between mice and humans has, over time, diminished the ability of mice to survive in nature, so that now they must depend upon human civilization for their continued existence.

Your task

Find the choice that makes the argument's conclusion more likely to be true.

Common trap

Answers that are consistent with the argument but add no real support, or that strengthen a claim the argument doesn't make.

Winning move

Locate the gap between evidence and conclusion, then pick the choice that closes it.

6.

Which one of the following, if true, would most support the naturalists’ prediction?

  1. The size of the mouse

    Opposite (if anything)

    This makes mice sound more less likely to survive if food were scarce.

    1% picked this

  2. Under optimum conditions, mice reproduce

    Too Weak

    Too Weak: under optimum conditions Irrelevant Distinction: specific reproduction rate We don't care what their rapid reproduction rate under optimal conditions is. Will those conditions even apply in the extreme human-less world?

    4% picked this

  3. Fossil remains prove that mice

    Weaker Impact

    While this does show that in the past, mice were able to survive without humans, it doesn't show that mice still could survive without humans, since there are many who think that the process of living with humans has changed mice such that they no longer could survive without humans.

    7% picked this

  4. Correct

    Mice have colonized an island

    Why this is right

    This provides data in which present day mice are able to live in a climate that is too extreme for humans.

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

    85% picked this

  5. A significant percentage of the

    Opposite (if anything)

    This makes mice sound more dependent on humans.

    3% picked this

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