Logical Reasoning

PT16 · S3 · Q1 The painted spider spins webs

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The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spun by the other species of spiders that share the same habitat.

Conclusion (therefore / it can be concluded)

The painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors.

Evidence

The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than webs spun by other species of spiders in the same habitat.

Stickier webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them.

Spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs.

Evaluate

GIVEN THAT sticky webs are good for trapping insects, and the painted spider's web is the stickiest around,

HOW COULD WE ARGUE THAT the painted spider is NOT a more successful predator than its competitors?

Maybe we could say it lives in an area that doesn't have a lot of prey species. Maybe other spiders have other tools for catching insects besides just sticky webs.

Goal

Let's find an answer that suggests that stickier webs do not necessarily lead to more predatory success or that suggests that the painted spider isn't a better predator than the other nearby spiders.

1.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

  1. Not all of the species

    Too Weak (not all)

    It's true that ground-walking insects probably don't get caught in webs, which usually are suspended above ground level. But "not all" means "at least one isn't", so this just says there's at least one species of insect in the painted spider's habitat that can only walk on objects. That doesn't impact how effective a predator the painted spider is. We weren't expecting it to be able to eat 100% of insects. Also, this answer would affect all the spiders in the habitat equally, so it doesn't help us offset the painted spider's advantage in sticky webs.

    17% picked this

  2. Butterflies and moths, which can

    Opposite (if anything)

    This suggests that other spiders might not be able to trap butterflies and moths, whereas the painted spider potentially could, because it has the stickiest web. So if anything it would help the author argue that painted moths are better predators.

    2% picked this

  3. Although the painted spider’s venom

    No Impact

    We can't really argue "the painted spider isn't that good a predator because it's venom doesn't kill quickly", because the insect is paralyzed almost instantly, to the fact that it takes a while for it do die doesn't matter because it's not going anywhere in the meantime (this seems like a good time to feel blessed that you're not an insect).

    2% picked this

  4. Correct

    Stickier webs reflect more light,

    Why this is right

    This answer reveals a potential downside to having stickier webs: they reflect more light and are thus more visible to insects. If insects can see the webs more easily, they are more likely to avoid them, which could reduce the effectiveness of the webs in trapping prey. This helps us argue that painted spiders are NOT the best at catching prey.

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

    76% picked this

  5. The webs spun by the

    No Impact

    If the webs of the painted spider were smaller than those of other spiders, then we could use that disadvantage to argue that the painted spider is not better at catching prey. But hearing the webs are not-larger doesn't weaken. If the webs are the same size but much stickier, in the case of the painted spider, then the author can make her case that the painted spider is better at capturing prey.

    3% picked this

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