Critical Reasoning

ssgmatter wrote:Wolves generally avoid human settlements. For this reason, domestic sheep, though
essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them. In Hylantia prior to
1910, farmers nevertheless lost considerable numbers of sheep to wolves each year.
Attributing this to the large number for wolves, in 1910 the government began offering
rewards to hunters for killing wolves. From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were
killed. Yet wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increase in wolf attacks on
sheep?
A. Populations of deer and other wild animals that wolves typically prey on
increased significantly in numbers from 1910 to 1915. - Incorrect - we don't care about the population of deer and other wild animals
B. Prior to 1910, there were no legal restrictions in Hylantia on the hunting of
wolves. - Incorrect - Though the hunting is legal, wolves attacks are more. So this is not correct
C. After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby
greatly diminishing these wolves' ability to prey on wild animals. - Correct - Since wolves are wounded and they don't have ability to prey on wild animals. They will prey on easily available food and here it is sheep. So the attacks are more on sheep
D. Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend
themselves against wolf attacks. - Incorrect - we don't care about the defending power of sheep
E. The systematic hunting of wolves encouraged by the program drove many wolves
in Hylantia to migrate to remote mountain areas uninhabited by humans. - Incorrect - Out of scope

kstv wrote:It should be C
The only reason why the wolves were hunting sheeps even at a considerable risk to their life. The old and the infirm always stray into human settlement.
Option D infact is a good assumption.

gmatmachoman wrote:

kstv wrote:It should be C
The only reason why the wolves were hunting sheeps even at a considerable risk to their life. The old and the infirm always stray into human settlement.
Option D infact is a good assumption.

I would call it a shot! Select" F ". Why?

Look at option C: After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby
greatly diminishing these wolves’ ability to prey on wild animals.

Stem says: From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were
killed.

C is contradictory if we take the cue from the stem.(plz see the bolded part).Stem says large number of wolves are killed.
C says they are wounded.

Point 2: What makes us to agree that domestic sheep is easier to prey than wild animals??

On that note, I dont see any options fitting !!

For this reason, domestic sheep, though
essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them

harshavardhanc wrote:

gmatmachoman wrote:

kstv wrote:It should be C
The only reason why the wolves were hunting sheeps even at a considerable risk to their life. The old and the infirm always stray into human settlement.
Option D infact is a good assumption.

I would call it a shot! Select" F ". Why?

Look at option C: After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby
greatly diminishing these wolves’ ability to prey on wild animals.

Stem says: From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were
killed.

C is contradictory if we take the cue from the stem.(plz see the bolded part).Stem says large number of wolves are killed.
C says they are wounded.

Point 2: What makes us to agree that domestic sheep is easier to prey than wild animals??

On that note, I dont see any options fitting !!

For Point 2:

Stem says it :

For this reason, domestic sheep, though
essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them

they are easy prey. But since wolves prefer to avoid humans, wolves usually go for wild animals.


now C says, after being wounded, their strength to prey upon wild animals was reduced. So, it will be logical to think that they resorted to hunt softer targets or sheep.

@Harsha Bhai,
I hinted u sometime back that if u take more than 2 min in a CR means, chk the logical validity of the question also. These questions are not from official source. So be sckeptical.

You can easily see " weak links" in the stem itself. I have shown it in bold letters. Sometimes we may "assume" question seems to be correct & push our energies to get a answer. But sometimes it may wrk other way ard also!


IMO C is "the one" .