In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the

Question

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.

souvik101990 · Accepted Answer

With answer choice A, "the honey bees are not the same variety" well you are only 1 step away from the conclusion - namely you just think - not the same variety could easily mean less honey production.

Choice C - "Ornamental plants" - is at least 2 steps away from the conclusion. In order to weaken the honey production we would have to say that ornamental trees being less pollinated somehow results in less collection and then in less honey storage and less honey production.

mads · Answer

The question asks which would not weaken the statement "do not fear that commercial honey production declines..."
(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.
 >> weakens the statement because if they are not same, the study will not hold good in United States.  
(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.
 >> weakens the statement if the production becomes expensive there is a chance that less production will happen. 
(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.
 >> Will not effect the argument. 
(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.
 >> Weakens the argument as if beekeeping is abandoned by many, there will be less production. 
(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.
 >> Weakens the argument, in this situation again this study will not hold good in United States.

My answer is C. Except C every other point weakens the argument.

jedit · Answer

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States. -  This opens the argument to the assumption that the honeybees native to US may be superior producers than native as well as Africanized bees, thus serves as a weakener.

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States. -  If Africanized honey bees are going to cost more, it is not going to help sustain US honey production, thus this is a weakener. 
 
(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated. -  This is unrelated to the honey production argument and thus does not weaken the argument. --  Correct

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees. -  Honey produced by Hobby beekeepers will reduce significantly, thus cancelling out any boost in production by Africanized bee introduction.

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States. -  If Brazil is better suited for Africanized Honey bees, their introduction to US may not have any positive impact, or may have a negative impact. Weakener.

Skywalker18 · Answer

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Boil it down - there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.-- Weakens --The author depends on the assumption that native Brazilian HB are the same as native U.S

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.-- Weakens -- points out a factor other than superior honey production that possibly affects the commercial honey production

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated. -- Correct -- certain is too vague -These certain types of trees may only make up 1% of the sources these bees collect from or it may not even be the type these bees use.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees. -- Weakens --

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.-- Weakens -- makes a distinction between the two environments that the author assumes to be similar or overlooks details from the two

Answer C

mbanotioncom · Answer

I know I am very late to contribute in the thread, but here is my understanding-

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.

As the honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States and we know that in Brazil the comparison is valid, then this choice puts the claim into suspect that there is reason to fear the production will decline -- Weakens- incorrect(as weaken EXCEPT question

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.

If commercial honey production is far more complicated then maybe the production will decline -- Weakens- incorrect(as weaken EXCEPT question

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.

Ornamental tress will be less effectively pollinated is out of scope and neither strengthens or weakens the argument at hand. SO CORRECT

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.

If the hobby beekeepers stops keeping africanized bees, the production may decline as a significant proportion comes from their 
 production. -- Weakens- incorrect(as weaken EXCEPT question

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.

Means the US area is not conducive to africanized honeybees, giving reasons to believe that the production may decline -- Weakens- incorrect(as weaken EXCEPT question

aniket16c · Answer

Argument - In B, A honeybees produce more honey that native honeybees. 
Conclusion - Even if honeybees in US are displaced by A honeybees, the honey production will not decline
Assumptions - Native B honeybees are similar to honeybees in US. 
The native / US honeybees do not help maintain few plants that A honeybees use to produce honey.

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.
- If honeybees in B and US are different we cannot be sure whether production will decline
- Weakener

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.
- Thus honey producers will prefer native honeys than A honeybees. Hence, with A honeybees producers will not be able to maintain the production capacity
- Weakener

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.
- Ornamental trees are for display purpose and do not help honeybees produce food.
- Does not impact the argument - Not a weakener - Correct answer

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.
- Less number of producers = decline in production 
- Weakener

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.
- The fact is region specific. Hence, the fact stated in the main argument cannot be extended to all areas. Thus the production can decline
- Weakener

auradediligodo · Answer

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:
 
  Weaken question

Pre-thinking   :

Here there are several assumptions made by the argument. First what if the situation in Brazil is not comparable with the one in the US? What if by eliminating the native species some bad consequence will affect the honey production?....

POE:

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.
 This option weakens the argument by stating that the 2 situations (Brasil and US) are not comparable

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.
 Weakener

(C)   If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.
 Certain here is very vague. This option could or could not affect the argument in a negative way. I would call this option half weakener. However the other options are clear weakeners, making this option the correct one.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.
 Clearly a weakener

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.
 similar reasoning as for option A

LIBERTYRodP · Answer

WEAKEN, EXCEPT QUESTION

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.  ----- Weakens conclusion because it opens to the possibility that the bees in America are superior to those in Brazil and will therefore not be displaced by the African bees.

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.  ------------- Weakens because it puts a barrier to the introduction of African bees to the US. Even if African bees are better at producing honey, they might cost too much. Therefore, to maximize profits the beekeepers in the US might prefer to stay with their current breed of bees.

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.  ---- CORRECT. This does not relate to the argument at all. Totally out of scope. REMEMBER that, this being a EXCEPT question, we need to choose the one that does not weaken ---- that is, we must either choose one that strengthens or that is unrelated.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.  ------ Weakens because a lot of beekeepers would not accept the change to the African bee.

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.  ------- Weakens because it insinuates that the US would not be a good ground to import the African bees. So this wouldn't be a feasible plan.

What do you think about this explanations. Please let me know!!!

unraveled · Answer

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

(A) The  honeybees native to Brazil  are  not of the same variety as  those most frequently  used  in the commercial  beekeeping industry in the United States . - WRONG. If not same then it is not necessary that US industry benefits.

(B) Commercial honey production is  far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees  than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States. - WRONG. So here's a troubling issue for the industry. If it is already difficult then keeping up with Africanized one has more hurdles.

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees,  certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated . - CORRECT. Less effective pollination leads to what..! We don't know how this affects the passage.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers,  many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping  with the influx of Africanized bees. - WRONG. If abandoned then industry is in trouble.

(E) The  area of Brazil  where the comparative study was done is far  better suited to the foraging habits  of the Africanized honeybees  than are most areas of the United States . - WRONG. Again weakens since it not necessary that US industry benefits.

Answer C.

Cayde02 · Answer

C seems to be the appropriate/the best option, though unrelated, to strengthen the notion of Africanized honey bees. ornamental trees are essentially grown for their beauty and bees, while pollinating, damage the trees. C states Africanized trees don't damage ornamental trees. Hence, Option C seemed like the only plus point about the Africanized bees.

sashankmvv1234 · Answer

How does option B become wrong?
Option B talks about operating cost and not about production capacity. If something is expensive, it automatically does not translate into less production. For example, earlier cost was 100 per kg. Now it became 300 per kg. That doesnt mean that owners will reduce the supply. To think that this options weakens the conclusion, then we have to assume that producers / customers can't afford or have the budget..which is wrong..

Infact I feel option c weakens because if pollination reduces, then honey production too reduces. pollination i.e. nectar is directly related to honey production.

KarishmaB  Could you please help me out here..

guddo · Answer

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the native honeybees have shown that the Africanized bees are far superior honey producers. Therefore, there is no reason to fear that domestic commercial honey production will decline in the United States if local honeybees are displaced by Africanized honeybees.
 
 Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:

The argument assumes that because Africanized bees produce more honey than Brazilian native bees, they would not reduce commercial honey production in the United States.  To weaken the argument , an answer must show that the Brazilian comparison may not apply to U.S. commercial honey production. The correct answer will be the one that does  not  weaken that claim.

(A) The honeybees native to Brazil are not of the same variety as those most frequently used in the commercial beekeeping industry in the United States.

Weakens. If U.S. commercial bees are different from Brazilian native bees, then the Brazilian comparison may not tell us what will happen in the United States.

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.

Weakens. Even if Africanized bees produce more honey, higher cost and difficulty could reduce commercial production.

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.

Does not weaken. This is about ornamental tree pollination, not domestic commercial honey production. It does not show that honey production would decline.

(D) In the United States a significant proportion of the commercial honey supply comes from hobby beekeepers, many of whom are likely to abandon beekeeping with the influx of Africanized bees.

Weakens. If many hobby beekeepers stop producing honey, total commercial honey supply could decline.

(E) The area of Brazil where the comparative study was done is far better suited to the foraging habits of the Africanized honeybees than are most areas of the United States.

Weakens. If Africanized bees performed well in Brazil because that area suited them especially well, they may not perform as well in most U.S. areas.

Answer: (C)

guddo · Answer

I'd say, B is not “wrong” because it proves lower production with certainty. It is wrong for the EXCEPT question because it  does weaken  the argument.

The conclusion is about commercial honey production. If Africanized bees make production much more complicated and expensive, some producers may produce less or leave the business. That creates a reasonable risk of decline.

C is weaker because it mentions only  certain ornamental trees . It does not say major honey plants are less pollinated, or that nectar sources for commercial honey production will decline. So C does not directly threaten honey production.

KarishmaB · Answer

The author has only words to convey his intent so focus on every word he uses. Every word has earned its place in the option.

(B) Commercial honey production is far more complicated and expensive with Africanized honeybees than it is with the more docile honeybees common in the United States.

If something will become " far more   complicated and expensive" fewer people/orgs will be able to do it. This is an impact we can easily expect in the real world. So the commercial honey production could reduce.

(C) If Africanized honeybees replace local honeybees, certain types of ornamental trees will be less effectively pollinated.
  
Note he says "ornamental" trees i.e. just for decoration, no other purpose. So he implies that these trees don't have any purpose in honey production. Hence nothing here says that replacing the bees will reduce commercial honey production. It may have other impacts but that is beyond our argument. That is why this is correct.

Answer (C)

In Brazil, side-by-side comparisons of Africanized honeybees and the

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