Rattlesnakes

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Rattlesnakes

by tisrar02 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:52 pm
Source: Knewton

Rattlesnakes, typically found in the American Southwest, are known to shed their skin during the fall months. Rattlesnakes generally forage for food in open desert areas during the spring and summer months; beginning every autumn, however, most rattlesnakes remain hidden, hunting among rocks and brush. The seasonal variations in rattlesnakes' patterns of movement can probably be explained by the rattlesnakes' vulnerability to predators.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the explanation offered?


(A) It is in the spring and summer months that brush and rocks offer rattlesnakes the most protection from predators.

(B) The number of predators hunting any given rattlesnake varies from one year to the next.

(C) Rattlesnakes subsist primarily on small insects that are plentiful only during the summer.

(D) When rattlesnakes are shedding their skin, they appear larger and more visible to predatory birds.

(E) Brush and rocks are often the only source of warmth for animals in the freezing desert nights.



OA: D
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by ankit0411 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:12 pm
tisrar02 wrote:Source: Knewton

Rattlesnakes, typically found in the American Southwest, are known to shed their skin during the fall months. Rattlesnakes generally forage for food in open desert areas during the spring and summer months; beginning every autumn, however, most rattlesnakes remain hidden, hunting among rocks and brush. The seasonal variations in rattlesnakes' patterns of movement can probably be explained by the rattlesnakes' vulnerability to predators.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the explanation offered?


(A) It is in the spring and summer months that brush and rocks offer rattlesnakes the most protection from predators. We are talking about vulnerability and not protection.

(B) The number of predators hunting any given rattlesnake varies from one year to the next.We are not concerned with the number of predators hunting.

(C) Rattlesnakes subsist primarily on small insects that are plentiful only during the summer.-How does it matter? Reject

(D) When rattlesnakes are shedding their skin, they appear larger and more visible to predatory birds. - This is the only option that strengthens the conclusion.- Correct

(E) Brush and rocks are often the only source of warmth for animals in the freezing desert nights. Out of scope - Reject.



OA: D

We need to find an option, which strengthens the conclusion saying that snakes are vulnerable to predators.
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by everything's eventual » Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:19 pm
Rattlesnakes, typically found in the American Southwest, are known to shed their skin during the fall months. Rattlesnakes generally forage for food in open desert areas during the spring and summer months; beginning every autumn, however, most rattlesnakes remain hidden, hunting among rocks and brush. The seasonal variations in rattlesnakes' patterns of movement can probably be explained by the rattlesnakes' vulnerability to predators.

Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the explanation offered?


(A) It is in the spring and summer months that brush and rocks offer rattlesnakes the most protection from predators. - But the passage says that the snakes forage in open desert during these months. In any case we need to strength the argument that rattle snakes stay hidden among rocks and bush during fall because of predators. This option does not state anything about fall season.

(B) The number of predators hunting any given rattlesnake varies from one year to the next. - Doesn't make a difference to the argument. The variation in number of predators doesn't strengthen or weaken the argument.

(C) Rattlesnakes subsist primarily on small insects that are plentiful only during the summer. - Out of scope

(D) When rattlesnakes are shedding their skin, they appear larger and more visible to predatory birds. - Rattlesnakes shed their skin during fall. They remain hidden under rocks and bush during fall. This option joins the dots and also refers to the fact that these snakes will appear larger to the predators. Choose this option.

(E) Brush and rocks are often the only source of warmth for animals in the freezing desert nights. - Out of scope