A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal

Question

A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long, since there is enough genetic variation in populations that some members will lack the trait.  Those lacking the trait will compete more successfully for the available resources.  Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait.

The proposition that those lacking a maladaptive trait will compete more successfully for the available resources figures in the argument in which one of the following ways?

(A) It expresses a view that the argument as a whole is designed to discredit.
(B) It is the argument's main conclusion.
(C) It is a premise of the argument.
(D) It presents evidence that the argument attempts to undermine.
(E) It is an intermediate conclusion of the argument.

PP777 · Answer

Main conclusion- A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long

Premise- 1. Since there is enough genetic variation in populations that some members will lack the trait. 
2. Those lacking the trait will compete more successfully for the available resources.

Intermediate conclusion- Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait.

Correct Answer- C

TaN1213 · Answer

I agree that C is correct but why can't it also be termed as an intermediate conclusion?

push12345 · Answer

Bold part is reason on which argument is based.on this reason the conclusion holds that members will produce at high rate.

Premise is used for reason so C is correct

Posted from my mobile device

Kurtosis · Answer

(A) It expresses a view that the argument as a whole is designed to discredit. - The argument doesn't discredit the stated view

(B) It is the argument's main conclusion. - Main conclusion is "Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait"

(C) It is a premise of the argument. - Correct.

(D) It presents evidence that the argument attempts to undermine. - Same as A.

(E) It is an intermediate conclusion of the argument. - The bolded part is more of a premise on which the conclusion is based. So, cannot be an intermediate conclusion.

Answer: C

PP777 · Answer

Hey  Vyshak ,

I disagree with you on main conclusion part. IMO, "A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long" is the main conclusion.

If Intermediate Conclusion supports the Main conclusion, then we can say that  "Main conclusion because Intermediate conclusion."

Here, we can say that A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long because some members crowd out those with the maladaptive trait.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Kurtosis · Answer

Since there is enough genetic variation in populations that some members will lack the trait, a seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long.

Then the argument goes on to explain about the members that lack the trait and arrives at the conclusion "Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait".

I don't think that connecting the survival and reproductive ability of the members lacking the trait contributes to the genetic variation stated in the premise of the first statement.

For me, first appears to be a fact. The argument builds on that fact and we finally see a main conclusion in the last statement of the argument.

PP777 · Answer

Hey  abhimahna ,

Need your input on the main conclusion part.

abhimahna · Answer

Hey PP777 , I agree with you. The first sentence "A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long" is the main conclusion of the argument and the last statement "Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait." is the intermediate conclusion. Vyshak bro, Author said a particular trait is unlikely to persist and then it shows why is that so. The last sentence is actually the reason for the unlikelihood by saying since the competition is so much that we aren't able to maintain that trait. Hey TaN1213 , Intermediate conclusion also acts as a premise to the main conclusion. Hence either ways is fine. But C is not the intermediate conclusion while "Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait." is an intermediate conclusion.

Let me know if anyone has further questions.

PP777 · Answer

Thanks abhimahna

Such a relief

TaN1213 · Answer

Hello,

Yeah, that's what I was holding on to. In that case Even E is correct, leading us to 2 possible correct answer to the question. Shouldn't either of C or E have been given in options?

Thanks!

abhimahna · Answer

Hey TaN1213 , Sorry, if I confused you. Probably, I didn't read your question properly. The statement "Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait.: is the intermediate conclusion while the bolded statement is the premise. Hence, E is incorrect. Bolded statement isn't an intermediate conclusion. Note that an intermediate conclusion is always a premise while the converse is not true. I hope that makes sense!

TaN1213 · Answer

Oh Okay. 
It makes much more sense now. Thanks!

Kurtosis · Answer

Got it. Thanks abhimahna and PP777

DharLog · Answer

1. There is nothing to undermine here ---> A, D are out.
2. It can not be the main conclusion.
The main conclusion: Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait.
Ok, even it is: A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal population for long
Anyway B is out.
3. In my opinion intermediate conclusion - it is something independent from the main conclusion.
But here the boldpart gives us an information that allows us to make a conclusion: Hence these members of the population survive and reproduce at a higher rate, crowding out those with the maladaptive trait
Hence it is the premise, option C

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

A seriously maladaptive trait is unlikely to persist in a given animal

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards