Logical Reasoning

PT151 · S2 · Q11 The goal of reforesting degraded

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The goal of reforesting degraded land is to create an area with a multitude of thriving tree species.

Given that ...

The goal of reforesting degraded land is to create an area with a multitude of thriving tree species.

How can we explain that ..

People good at reforesting will do by planting a single fast-growing tree species?

Evaluate / Goal

The tension here is between "multitude of species" and "single species". If they're hoping to end up with a variety of species, then why are they planting a single fast-growing species?

The correct answer needs to help us understand how this single species is a useful step in our long term goal of having a variety of species.

11.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

  1. Tree species that require abundant

    Unclear Impact

    This talks about species that require abundant sunlight. Do we know that this single fast-growing species is one that requires abundant sunlight? No. So does this answer have anything to do with what we're talking about? Can't tell.

    2% picked this

  2. An area with a multitude

    Explains Background

    This answer is explaining why we desire to ultimately reforest land in a way that creates an area with a multitude of species. But it doesn't explain the surprising idea: why are we going about it by planting a single species?

    1% picked this

  3. The reforestation of degraded land

    Unclear Impact

    This talks about species that are native to the area being reforested? Do we know that this single fast-growing species is one that's native to the area? No. So does this answer have anything to do with what we're talking about? Can't tell.

    11% picked this

  4. Correct

    The growth of trees attracts

    Why this is right

    This helps us explain how planting a a single species of tree could help us eventually get to a multitude of thriving tree species. The idea is that we get this single species up first (because it's fast growing). Those trees will attract wildlife to this land, and the the wildlife will do stuff that will contribute dispersing seeds from a wide variety of trees from surrounding areas. So, since we ultimately want a variety of species, we want wildlife to come in and disperse seeds from a large variety of tree species, and to get the wildlife to come to the area then we need some trees already there, so we start with a fast-growing species.

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

    84% picked this

  5. The process of reforesting degraded

    Unrelated to Goal

    This has nothing to do with helping us understand how we get from a single species of tree to the multitude of tree species we ultimately desire.

    3% picked this

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