you forgot to include the question..

question plz?

rahulg83 wrote:
question plz?

what wrong with 4??

In this problem we must undermine Scott's argument that the drop in the worm is the reason for the recent decline in the numbers of Tennessee warbler.

2). The spruce budworm population has dropped because of a disease that can infect budworms but not Tennessee warblers --> if any this argument supports Scott's argument as it suggests that the decline in worm count is the reason for drop in Tennessee warbler.

3). The drop in the population of the spruce budworm is expected to only be temporary-- This does nothing to address Scot's argument

4). Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations -- This is totally unrelated to Scott's argument about worm

5). Although many North American songbirds have declined in numbers, no other species has experienced as great a decline as has the Tennessee warbler. --> No where the decline in the worm is mentioned.

Therefore Option 1 which clearly states that there is another species which feeds on the same type of worm and have not declined in number is the option that calls Scott's argument into question

Kate: The recent decline in numbers of the Tennessee warbler, a North American songbird that migrates each fall to coffee plantations in South America, is due to the elimination of dense tree cover that formerly was a feature of most South American coffee plantations.

Scott: The population of the spruce budworm, the warbler's favourite prey in North America, has been dropping. This is a more likely explanation of the warbler's decline.

Question: Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls Scott's hypothesis into question?

1). The numbers of the Baltimore oriole, a songbird that does not eat budworms but is as dependent on South America coffee plantations as is the Tennessee warbler, are declining

2). The spruce budworm population has dropped because of a disease that can infect budworms but not Tennessee warblers

3). The drop in the population of the spruce budworm is expected to only be temporary

4). Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations

5). Although many North American songbirds have declined in numbers, no other species has experienced as great a decline as has the Tennessee warbler.

situation:
1. Kate: elimination of trees in south america led to Tennessee warbler decline.
2. Scott: drop in spruce budworm population led to Tennessee warbler decline.

A. since they don't eat budworms, we can't compare
B. reason for budworms decline is not relevant
C. IMO, this is the best answer, if only by elimination.
D. this discredits Kate's theory, but doesn't really say anything about Scott's.
E. anomaly could have been due to other factors uniquely affecting the warbler.

Yes, I choose 1

Kate: The recent decline in numbers of the Tennessee warbler, a North American songbird that migrates each fall to coffee plantations in South America, is due to the elimination of dense tree cover that formerly was a feature of most South American coffee plantations.

Scott: The population of the spruce budworm, the warbler's favourite prey in North America, has been dropping. This is a more likely explanation of the warbler's decline.

Question: Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls Scott's hypothesis into question?

1). The numbers of the Baltimore oriole, a songbird that does not eat budworms but is as dependent on South America coffee plantations as is the Tennessee warbler, are declining --> this is analogy comparison. another kind of bird is also declining but its prey is not budworms. So it weaken the point that budworm is the main reason for warbler's decline

2). The spruce budworm population has dropped because of a disease that can infect budworms but not Tennessee warblers --> althought the disease doesn't effect warbler, it does not mean that warbler doesn't decrease as a result. Therefore, this choice does nothing to weaken the cause-effect relationship: budworm decrease->warbler decrease. So it's wrong

3). The drop in the population of the spruce budworm is expected to only be temporary --> temporary does not mean no influence

4). Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations --> no impact

5). Although many North American songbirds have declined in numbers, no other species has experienced as great a decline as has the Tennessee warbler -->no impact

I am convinced with the OA . But somehow not sure why 4(D) is wrong

Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations

It says the warblers are migrating to a different than usual place. I thought it means that lack of prey is not the reason for decline.

Please explain

hk_4u wrote:I am convinced with the OA . But somehow not sure why 4(D) is wrong

Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations

It says the warblers are migrating to a different than usual place. I though it means that lack of prey is not the reason for decline.

Please explain

This is a weaken question and so we need an answer that will destroy Scott's argument i.e. the population of the barblers is decreasing coz of decrease in population of it's fav prey, the budwords

Ans 4(D) does not even touch this argument. It talks about migratiion during the fall, which has nothing to do with the Scott's arugment.

Kate: The recent decline in numbers of the Tennessee warbler, a North American songbird that migrates each fall to coffee plantations in South America, is due to the elimination of dense tree cover that formerly was a feature of most South American coffee plantations.

Scott: The population of the spruce budworm, the warbler's favourite prey in North America, has been dropping. This is a more likely explanation of the warbler's decline.

Question: Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls Scott's hypothesis into question

1). The numbers of the Baltimore oriole, a songbird that does not eat budworms but is as dependent on South America coffee plantations as is the Tennessee warbler, are declining
CORRECT : Weakens the argument by comparing two things that are essentially similar :
Decline of baltimore oriole due to its dependency on coffee plantations
Decline of warbler due to its dependency on coffee plantations .

2). The spruce budworm population has dropped because of a disease that can infect budworms but not Tennessee warblers
INCORRECT : Comparison is made between things that are essentially different. This disease can infect Budworm. But this disease does not infect Tennessee.

3). The drop in the population of the spruce budworm is expected to only be temporary
INCORRECT : Irrelevant. Issue is not about whether the drop in population is temporary or permanent.

4). Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations
INCORRECT : Out of scope.

5). Although many North American songbirds have declined in numbers, no other species has experienced as great a decline as has the Tennessee warbler.
INCORRECT : Irrelevant. Issue is not about amount of decline but the reason of decline.

1). The numbers of the Baltimore oriole, a songbird that does not eat budworms but is as dependent on South America coffee plantations as is the Tennessee warbler, are declining

A possible alternate explanation


2). The spruce budworm population has dropped because of a disease that can infect budworms but not Tennessee warblers

Irrelevant

3). The drop in the population of the spruce budworm is expected to only be temporary

Not very relevant. Since it offers no alternate explanation for why is there a drop than one scott offers

4). Many Tennessee warblers have begun migrating in the fall to places other than traditional coffee plantations

It offers no counter argument in terms of what scott is trying to argue. It supports Kate's point of view

5). Although many North American songbirds have declined in numbers, no other species has experienced as great a decline as has the Tennessee warbler.

Not a counter argument against Scott's view

Could someone explain why #4 does not weaken Scott's argument but #1 does? I don't get it.

Hey ,

option 4) just adds to the point that kate and scott both supports i.e. the population is declining. But option 1) does renders scott's reasoning invalid.