Critical Reasoning

Select the statement which would most weaken the argument below:

Marine biologists have found that the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the world's oceans has decreased dramatically in recent years, leading to the species being added to the "endangered species" list. Conservationists cite this claim as evidence that shark fishing should be made illegal.

A
Hammerhead sharks are still more common than some other species of sharks.
B
The scalloped hammerhead shark is one of the most commonly fished sharks.
C
Most species of sharks have not seen their populations decline in recent years despite legalized fishing.
D
Several shark species have also seen their populations decline in recent years.
E
Sharks are less commonly fished than many other species of fish like tuna and salmon.

Confused between C and D.

C says Most shark species has not decline although after legalized fishing and D says Several have declined.
D kind of says that fishing could be one of the reasons for several species decline, but C does not say the same. C implies there is something else due to which "scalloped hammerhead sharks declined" otherwise several sharks species would have declined not a particular one.

Will go with C as it weakens the claim what is used as evidence by the Conservationists .

WIll definitely go with C...It weakens the statement by stating that fishing does not reduce most sharks population

pradeepkaushal9518 wrote:Select the statement which would most weaken the argument below:

Marine biologists have found that the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the world's oceans has decreased dramatically in recent years, leading to the species being added to the "endangered species" list. Conservationists cite this claim as evidence that shark fishing should be made illegal.

A
Hammerhead sharks are still more common than some other species of sharks.
B
The scalloped hammerhead shark is one of the most commonly fished sharks.
C
Most species of sharks have not seen their populations decline in recent years despite legalized fishing.
D
Several shark species have also seen their populations decline in recent years.
E
Sharks are less commonly fished than many other species of fish like tuna and salmon.

between C and E but will choose E...
the assumption for this CR is because they fish shark often thus >>>> H. shark are being endangered...
E says " shark are less commonly fished" =rarely fished... how come its being endangered while its not very often fished?

yep E...if not fished commonly, then what good is illegalizing fishing it going to do?

Marine biologists have found that the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the world's oceans has decreased dramatically in recent years, leading to the species being added to the "endangered species" list. Conservationists cite this claim as evidence that shark fishing should be made illegal.

I will Pick C....

Conclusion: Fishing should be made illiegal..
evidence: population of one species of sharks reduced.
assumption: fishing caused it. one specie represents entire shark fleet


C
Most species of sharks have not seen their populations decline in recent years despite legalized fishing.

this shows that most species have not declined... so fishing is not the cause of decline...
weakens

E
Sharks are less commonly fished than many other species of fish like tuna and salmon.

even if sharks are less commonly fished... that could be enuf to reduce the population... doesnt weaken...

Pick C

I go with C.. though C and E are both negative..

C: Most fish..... that means the option says some shark populatin have got decreased due to fishing ... And hammer head shark could be one of them...

E: States shark fishing is less than some other fishes such as salmon and tuna.. that dosn't mean actually that shark fishing is less.... but lesser than some other species...

C is better among C and E... but i dont think both are suitable...

Experts please help in this one....