A distemper virus has caused

Answer choices

1. A

   Out of Scope3% picked this

   There has been a gradual decline in the seal population of the North Sea during

   This answer discusses a historical decline in the seal population over the past two centuries, which isn't connected to the argument about the sudden prevalence of the virus since May 1988. The argument focuses on the recent deaths due to the virus, not long-term population trends.

   3%
2. B

   Opposite (if anything)\11% picked this

   No further sources of pollution have been added since May 1988 to the already existing sources of pollution

   If we negated this, it would sound like there is even more pollution than usual, which would strengthen the author's hypothesis that pollution was a causal factor.

   11%
3. C

   Correct79% picked this

   There was no sudden mutation in the distemper virus which would have allowed the virus successfully to attack healthy North

   Why this is right

   When we negate the lovable "no" in this Defender style choice, we get "There was a sudden mutation that allowed the virus to attack healthy seals". Boom, we weakened with an alternate explanation. It was pollution that caused the seals to suddenly be more vulnerable; it was the virus mutating into something much more dangerous."

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

   79%
4. D

   Irrelevant Comparison1% picked this

   Pollution in the North Sea is no greater than pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of North America, or

   This option compares pollution levels in the North Sea to pollution in other bodies of water. The argument doesn't hinge on such comparisons, as its focus is solely on the impact of pollution in the North Sea on the seal immunity and virus virulence.

   1%
5. E

   Too Strong: nearly extinct5% picked this

   Some species that provide food for the seals have nearly become extinct as a result

   Even though the author thinks pollution is bad enough to impact the seals immune system and make them more vulnerable to the virus, she doesn't need to think that other species are on the bring of extinction from the pollution.

   5%