Tiny channels on the footpads of tree frogs give these frogs the ability to repeatedly adhere to surfaces without the cracking that occurs when adhesive tape is reused in a similar manner. A new commercially available tape mimics these channels, not only giving the tape the ability to be reused many times, but also increasing the tape’s adhesiveness. If tree frogs had become extinct five years ago, as was feared at the time, this tape would not now be available.
Which of the following most weakens the conclusion in the argument above?
(A) The footpads of tree frogs are not as adhesive as the foot pads of certain lizards that are in no danger of extinction.
(B) At the time when concern was raised over the possible extinction of the tree frog, the actual risk of extinction was greatly overestimated.
(C) The tape was designed by looking at the footpads of the preserved remains of tree frogs that had died of natural causes.
(D) A commercially available adhesive tape that has been chemically treated can be reused in much the same manner as the tape that mimics the footpads of tree frogs.
(E) Tests have shown that the footpads of tree frogs become slightly less adhesive as the frogs age.
OA C
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Tiny channels on the footpads of tree frogs give these frogs the ability to repeatedly adhere to surfaces without the
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Premise: Tiny channels on the footpads of tree frogs give these frogs the ability to repeatedly adhere to surfaces without the cracking that occurs when adhesive tape is reused in a similar manner.
Conclusion: If tree frog had become extinct five years ago, as was feared at the time, this tape would not now be available.
Option A - Incorrect:
The argument is not concerned about the adhesiveness of the footpads of lizard, therefore, we can't make a comparison between the adhesiveness of the footpads of tree frogs and lizards.
Option B - Incorrect:
We only know about the outcome of the tape after the possible extinction of tree frogs, there is no information about the risk of extinction in the passage.
Option C - Correct:
This option weakens the argument the most because this claim cannot be validated from the passage as it wasn't stated that the tape was designed by looking at the footpads of the preserved remains of tree frogs that had died of natural causes.
Option D - Incorrect:
Although the commercially available tape mimics the channel and can be reused, we don't know if it has been chemically treated as this option claims.
Option E - Incorrect:
This option is false because no test was carried out. Hence, there is no evidence to prove that footpads of tree frogs become slightly less adhesive as the frog age.
Conclusion: If tree frog had become extinct five years ago, as was feared at the time, this tape would not now be available.
Option A - Incorrect:
The argument is not concerned about the adhesiveness of the footpads of lizard, therefore, we can't make a comparison between the adhesiveness of the footpads of tree frogs and lizards.
Option B - Incorrect:
We only know about the outcome of the tape after the possible extinction of tree frogs, there is no information about the risk of extinction in the passage.
Option C - Correct:
This option weakens the argument the most because this claim cannot be validated from the passage as it wasn't stated that the tape was designed by looking at the footpads of the preserved remains of tree frogs that had died of natural causes.
Option D - Incorrect:
Although the commercially available tape mimics the channel and can be reused, we don't know if it has been chemically treated as this option claims.
Option E - Incorrect:
This option is false because no test was carried out. Hence, there is no evidence to prove that footpads of tree frogs become slightly less adhesive as the frog age.
