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

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

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(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

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.

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.

Hey abhimahna,

Need your input on the main conclusion part.

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.

Thanks abhimahna Such a relief

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!

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!

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

Got it. Thanks abhimahna and PP777

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

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