The population of desert tortoises in Targland’s Red Desert has declined, partly because
they are captured for sale as pets and partly because people riding all-terrain vehicles have
damaged their habitat. Targland plans to halt this population decline by blocking the current
access routes into the desert and announcing new regulations to allow access only on foot.
Targland’s officials predict that these measures will be adequate, since it is difficult to collect
the tortoises without a vehicle. Which of the following would it be most important to
establish in order to evaluate the officials’ prediction?
A. Whether possessing the tortoises as pets remains legally permissible in Targland
B. Whether Targland is able to enforce the regulations with respect to all-terrain vehicle entry at
points other than the current access routes
C. Whether the Red Desert tortoises are most active during the day or at night
D. Whether people who travel on foot in the Red Desert often encounter the tortoises
E. Whether the Targland authorities held public hearings before restricting entry by vehicle into
the Red Desert


Is the ansvver because
if there is another route people vvill access that and so the conclusion fails is that the reason for the ansvver

Vvhat is vvrong vvith D

it could be possible that people who travel on foot in the Red Desert often encounter the tortoises - Strengthen
who travel on foot in the Red Desert DO NOT often encounter the tortoises - vveaken

this could also be evaluate right vvhere is the problem?

Hi there

There is two factor that lowers the population: habitat damage (with cars) and tortoise hunting (requires a car)

D is useless because
1/ we already know they won't be able to hunt without a car
2/ they won't be able to damage the habitats with their car

B is a better answer because if people have other ways to access with their vehicles, then the whole policy becomes useless.

Hope that helps

The argument states that one factor in the decline of the turtle population is all-terrain vehicles. The plan is to block "the current access routes...". However, what if the all-terrain vehicles enter the park through the current access routes? Therefore (B) is clearly the answer.

(D), while tempting, can be discounted because of the information at the very end of the paragraph, "it is difficult to collect the tortoises without a vehicle." Therefore those walking in the park will not able to easily capture the tortoises and take them home, thereby reducing their numbers.

Hope that helps
_________________

Christopher Lele
Magoosh Test Prep