The peppered moth avoids predators by blending into its back

This topic has expert replies
Moderator
Posts: 7187
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 4:43 pm
Followed by:23 members

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

The peppered moth avoids predators by blending into its background, typically the bark of trees. In the late nineteenth century, those peppered moths with the lightest pigmentation had the greatest contrast with their backgrounds, and therefore were the most likely to be seen and eaten by predators. It follows, then, that the darkest peppered moths were the least likely to be seen and eaten.

Which one of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the reasoning of the argument?

(A) The argument overlooks the possibility that light peppered moths had more predators than dark peppered moths.

(B) The argument takes for granted that peppered moths are able to control the degree to which they blend into their backgrounds.

(C) The argument presumes, without providing justification, that all peppered moths with the same coloring had the same likelihood of being seen and eaten by a predator.

(D) The argument overlooks the possibility that there were peppered moths of intermediate color that contrasted less with their backgrounds than the darkest peppered moths did.

(E) The argument presumes, without providing justification, that the only defense mechanism available to peppered moths was to blend into their backgrounds.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

Legendary Member
Posts: 2214
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:22 pm
Followed by:5 members

by deloitte247 » Fri Jul 27, 2018 12:35 pm

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

Option A -INCORRECT.
The reasoning does not overlook the fact that light peppered moths are most attacked by predators due to the greatest contrast they portrayed with their background compared to dark pepped moths.

Option B - INCORRECT.
The argument didn't take for granted that peppered moths are not able to control the degree at which they blend into their background for less identification for predators. That is why the light pigmented peppered moths are easily seen and eaten by predators and the dark peppered moths were least seen and eaten.

Option C - INCORRECT.
The argument has proven with justification why peppered moths with same colors have the likelihood of being seen and eaten by predators.

Option D - INCORRECT
The argument did not over look the fact that, there are peppered moths with intermediate colors that contrast less with their background than the darkest peppered moths did. That is why peppered moths are being grouped into two in the argument, ''light contrast and dark peppered moths''.

Option E - CORRECT.
This option describes a flaw in the reasoning of this argument. The argument presumes, without providing justification, that the only defense mechanism available to peppered moths was to blend into their backgrounds without attesting the strive to fight back predators before or during attack.