Critical Reasoning

Scientists have discovered a new species of butterfly that lives only in a small region of Central America and is active only at night. During the day, it rests in treetops, where its green color matches the foliage perfectly. Therefore, the scientists must have discovered the butterfly at night.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

1. The newly discovered butterfly is not related to any other species of butterfly.

2. There is no way for the scientists to detect the butterfly during the day.

3. No other butterfly species lives in this region of Central America.

4. The foliage in the butterfly's habitat is completely green.

5. The butterfly cannot survive in areas outside of Central America.
OA, after some discussion.

rishijhawar wrote:Scientists have discovered a new species of butterfly that lives only in a small region of Central America and is active only at night. During the day, it rests in treetops, where its green color matches the foliage perfectly. Therefore, the scientists must have discovered the butterfly at night.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

1. The newly discovered butterfly is not related to any other species of butterfly.

2. There is no way for the scientists to detect the butterfly during the day.

3. No other butterfly species lives in this region of Central America.

4. The foliage in the butterfly's habitat is completely green.

5. The butterfly cannot survive in areas outside of Central America.
OA, after some discussion.

B. You have any problem with B
E talks about match.Author assumes green butterfly matches with foliage.Foliage need not necessarily be green in order to match.

Hey Sandy, I chose D.
Any reason why 'Foliage need not necessarily be green in order to match.' I think because of Foilage's green colour, scientists couldn't figure out the butterfly in day.

rishijhawar wrote:Hey Sandy, I chose D.
Any reason why 'Foliage need not necessarily be green in order to match.' I think because of Foilage's green colour, scientists couldn't figure out the butterfly in day.

Sorry i was referring to D in my last post.
It can be green . But it need not be complete green for Scientists to discover.Even if it is partial green ;it might not be noticeable.This choice opens up many other possibilities.So Negating the answer choice D is not affecting the conclusion to the desired extent.

rishijhawar wrote:Scientists have discovered a new species of butterfly that lives only in a small region of Central America and is active only at night. During the day, it rests in treetops, where its green color matches the foliage perfectly. Therefore, the scientists must have discovered the butterfly at night.

The argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

1. The newly discovered butterfly is not related to any other species of butterfly.

2. There is no way for the scientists to detect the butterfly during the day.

3. No other butterfly species lives in this region of Central America.

4. The foliage in the butterfly's habitat is completely green.

5. The butterfly cannot survive in areas outside of Central America.
OA, after some discussion.

B

For the conclusion "the scientists must have discovered the butterfly at night" to be true, B has to be true, since "During the day, it rests in treetops, where its green color matches the foliage perfectly."

Thanks guys