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14 May 2026, 07:40
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43% (01:51) correct
57%
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Although Stillwater Pond has been polluted by farm runoff for years, several species of fish still live there. The local fishing guide says that “the most populous fish species in the pond is also the one that has adapted best to living in polluted water.” So if, as recent studies suggest, the most populous fish species in the pond is the bullhead catfish, then it must be that the local fishing guide believes that the species of fish in the pond that has adapted best to living in polluted water is the bullhead catfish.
The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
(A) takes for granted that the local fishing guide believes that Stillwater Pond has been polluted by farm runoff for years
(B) fails to take into account the possibility that the catfish in Stillwater Pond had to adapt very little to survive in polluted water
(C) fails to take into account the possibility that the recent studies on fish populations in Stillwater Pond are inaccurate
(D) fails to take into account the possibility that the local fishing guide mistakenly believes that some fish species other than the bullhead catfish is the most populous fish species in Stillwater Pond
(E) takes for granted that Stillwater Pond has only one species of catfish living in it
The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
(A) takes for granted that the local fishing guide believes that Stillwater Pond has been polluted by farm runoff for years
(B) fails to take into account the possibility that the catfish in Stillwater Pond had to adapt very little to survive in polluted water
(C) fails to take into account the possibility that the recent studies on fish populations in Stillwater Pond are inaccurate
(D) fails to take into account the possibility that the local fishing guide mistakenly believes that some fish species other than the bullhead catfish is the most populous fish species in Stillwater Pond
(E) takes for granted that Stillwater Pond has only one species of catfish living in it
ankushsambare
Joined: 13 Jun 2022
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14 May 2026, 09:17
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The conclusion is:
The fishing guide believes that the fish best adapted to polluted water is the bullhead catfish.
Why?
The argument mixes up what the studies say with what the fishing guide believes.
The studies may say bullhead catfish is most populous, but the guide himself may believe some other fish is most populous.
Check choices:
(A) Irrelevant. The argument does not depend on what the guide believes about pollution history.
(B) Irrelevant. Even if catfish needed little adaptation, the reasoning problem remains.
(C) The argument does not depend on whether the studies are actually accurate. The issue is about the guide’s belief.
(D) Correct. The argument ignores the possibility that the guide believes another species, not bullhead catfish, is the most populous species.
(E) Irrelevant. Number of catfish species does not matter.
Answer: (D)
The fishing guide believes that the fish best adapted to polluted water is the bullhead catfish.
Why?
- The guide says: the most populous fish species is the one best adapted to polluted water.
- Recent studies say the most populous species is bullhead catfish.
- Therefore, the argument concludes the guide must believe bullhead catfish is best adapted.
The argument mixes up what the studies say with what the fishing guide believes.
The studies may say bullhead catfish is most populous, but the guide himself may believe some other fish is most populous.
Check choices:
(A) Irrelevant. The argument does not depend on what the guide believes about pollution history.
(B) Irrelevant. Even if catfish needed little adaptation, the reasoning problem remains.
(C) The argument does not depend on whether the studies are actually accurate. The issue is about the guide’s belief.
(D) Correct. The argument ignores the possibility that the guide believes another species, not bullhead catfish, is the most populous species.
(E) Irrelevant. Number of catfish species does not matter.
Answer: (D)
