Because state sanctions against hunting have been eased, Deersdale Preserve has experienced an influx of hunters in the last several months. During this time, the silvertail fox, a popular target for hunters, has seen a marked decrease in population. Therefore, to prevent the population of silvertail fox—an important apex predator responsible for keeping the Deersdale County’s rabbit population in check—from falling even lower, the state should once again place strict sanctions against hunting.



Which of the following, if true, most strongly suggests that stricter sanctions against hunting would not have the desired effect?


A) The number of hunters entering the park is expected to drop drastically in the next few months as hunting season comes to an end.- does not tell whether the imposition of strict restrictions will help prevent the decrease in number of silvertail fox
B) The silvertail fox population varies greatly throughout the year, especially during winter when prey becomes scarce.-correct option which says that the imposition of stricter rules will not have the desired effect
C) The grey wolf, a large predator that competes with the silvertail fox over Deersdale Preserve’s rabbit population, has seen its numbers decrease since the arrival of the hunters.-out of context
D) The silvertail fox had been experiencing a population surge shortly before the state sanctions against hunting were eased.-out of context
E) Many rabbits in the Deersdale Preserve recently have become carriers of a virus that destroys the livers of carnivorous animals.- we don't know whether the liver disease in carnivorous animals is causing them to die or decrease in number. we can consider silvertail fox as a carnivore since it feeds on rabbits.-not correct

Incorrect c) The grey wolf, a large predator that competes with the silvertail fox over deersdale preserves rabbit population has seen its numbers decrease since the arrival of the hunters

Since when a sanction is back in place, the grey wolf population will rise again, keeping rabbit population in check. Therefore, stricter sanctions against hunting would have the desired effect.

E suggest that Rabbit ( Virus Carrier) will lead to decrease in its predator population. So sanction will not have a desired effect of keeping rabbit population in check

IMO OA is E


A) The number of hunters entering the park is expected to drop drastically in the next few months as hunting season comes to an end.
-> Nothing. There is no relationship with stricter sanction
B) The silvertail fox population varies greatly throughout the year, especially during winter when prey becomes scarce.
-> Nothing. This is just one kind of fact that is possible to happen.
C) The grey wolf, a large predator that competes with the silvertail fox over Deersdale Preserve???s rabbit population, has seen its numbers decrease since the arrival of the hunters.
-> keep
D) The silvertail fox had been experiencing a population surge shortly before the state sanctions against hunting were eased.
-> Nothing. This is just a fact of past period.
E) Many rabbits in the Deersdale Preserve recently have become carriers of a virus that destroys the livers of carnivorous animals.
-> keep

Between C and E, I chose E.
The reason is below.
C. If there are alot of rabbits, there is no problem. So I do not chose C.
E. Even though there is stricter sanctions against hunting, fox population would be diminished, because their prey rabbit
will make foxes die.

Hi csaluja,

Carolyn from Magoosh here -- I can step in for Mike

The official answer is E, and has not been changed. See Mike's previous posts here discussing the reason that B is not the best answer choice.

Hope that helps!
-Carolyn
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Magoosh Test Prep