Experts studying patterns of shark attacks on humans have noted that

Question

Experts studying patterns of shark attacks on humans have noted that attacks tend to diminish when the water temperature drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Until recently, researchers believed this was because sharks prefer warmer water, and thus are present in fewer numbers in colder water. However, new research shows that sharks are present in equal numbers in cold and warm water.

Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox?

Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox?

(A) In general, humans prefer warm water.

(B) Sharks’ keen sense of smell is enhanced in cold water.

(C) In the Pacific, shark attacks tend to occur more frequently in the daytime.

(D) Of the more than 200 types of sharks present in the ocean, only three attack humans.

(E) The average temperature of the earth’s oceans is 55 degrees.

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Harshita2003 · Answer

The paradox comes out to be this: Even though the number of sharks present in the cold and hot water are the same, sharks attacks ten to diminish in the cold water.

Let's explore the options: 
1.  In general, humans prefer warm water 
Now this option solves the paradox. If humans prefer warm water, then the main reason for diminished shark attacks in cold water is not the temperature but the absence of humans in cold water. Let's hold on to this.

2.  Sharks’ keen sense of smell is enhanced in cold water. 
Now this is something that increases the paradox even more. If the shark's senses were enhanced in cold water, wouldn't it be more beneficial for them to attack in cold water? Hence this option can be eliminated.

3.  In the Pacific, shark attacks tend to occur more frequently in the daytime. 
There is no mention of the time of day affecting the shark attacks in the passage. So we can eliminate the choice.

4.  Of the more than 200 types of sharks present in the ocean, only three attack humans. 
Now this might be true, but this does not solve the apparent contradiction between the temperature of water and shark attacks. So it is irrelevant.

5.  The average temperature of the earth’s oceans is 55 degrees. 
Not sure on how to explain it properly, but the average temperature of the ocean does not solve the paradox. It could have been lower or higher, but that would not tell us why the sharks attack less in cold waters below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

So A is the answer

ManifestDreamMBA · Answer

Drawing parallel, the argument was assuming number of hunters go down in the winters. What if the preys are in hibernation during winters (i.e. lesser availability)? Which in this case is humans preferring warm water. They aren't there for the sharks to be able to attack

Answer is A

Dereno · Answer

Experts study has pointed out that the shark attacks have diminished when the temperature has fallen below 65 degree Fahrenheit.

Moreover, the sharks are present in both cold and warm waters, which contradicts the earlier held belief that sharks tend to be present in warmer water alone.

Why attacks happen only in warmer waters, but the sharks remain in both WARM and COLD waters.

The reason is apparent that the humans prefer warmer waters only. Hence, the paradox.

option A

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Experts studying patterns of shark attacks on humans have noted that attacks tend to diminish when the water temperature drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Until recently, researchers believed this was because sharks prefer warmer water, and thus are present in fewer numbers in colder water. However, new research shows that sharks are present in equal numbers in cold and warm water.

Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox?

Which of the following, if true, best explains the apparent paradox?

(A) In general, humans prefer warm water.

(B) Sharks’ keen sense of smell is enhanced in cold water.

(C) In the Pacific, shark attacks tend to occur more frequently in the daytime.

(D) Of the more than 200 types of sharks present in the ocean, only three attack humans.

(E) The average temperature of the earth’s oceans is 55 degrees.

A

We tend to try to explain shark attacks by thinking about the shark’s behavior. But choice A points out that it takes two to tango. A shark attack requires A) one shark and B) one human to be attacked. One reason there might be fewer shark attacks on humans in cold water is that there are fewer humans swimming in cold water in the first place. If you were looking at choice B and saying, “Hmm, if a sharks’ olfactory powers were enhanced by cold water, then presumably he’d be better at attacking,” or if you were thinking that if his olfactory powers were enhanced he would know enough not to attack a human, then either way, you were having to think way too hard for this to be inside the scope. Choice C is outside the scope, too, since it is dealing with only one ocean and does not address temperature at all. Choice D provides extraneous information, and choice E does not help to explain the apparent paradox. The best answer is A.

Experts studying patterns of shark attacks on humans have noted that

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Experts studying patterns of shark attacks on humans have noted that

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