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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Rationale:
Argument Evaluation
Situation
A professor gives us information about one biologist’s opinion, based on numerous studies, about the low probability of sea-lice transmission from farm salmon to wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago. The biologist thinks salinities less than 30 parts per thousand (ppt) would make such transmission unlikely; in the archipelago, the salinity is 25–30 ppt between March and June, the period when wild salmon migration occurs. However, the professor challenges the biologist’s view, maintaining, based on a literature review, that cool spring temperatures in the archipelago, combined with the lower salinity, do favor flourishing of sea lice.
Reasoning
In what way does the professor attempt to undermine the biologist’s argument? The professor points out that a premise used by the biologist—that the low spring salinities in the archipelago when the wild salmon migrate suppress sea-lice proliferation—is not correct. The professor claims the academic literature reveals that two conditions—the 25–30 ppt salinities combined with the cool spring temperatures—would be jointly sufficient for the flourishing of sea lice.
A. This does not accurately describe the professor’s technique. In effect, the professor points out that salinities of 30 ppt or more are NOT necessary for sea-lice survival; lower salinities combined with lower temperatures are sufficient to enable sea-lice survival.
B. The professor cites no studies that suggest unreliable measurement of salinity levels.
C. Correct. As explained in the Reasoning section above, the professor appeals to evidence from the literature to show that one of the biologist’s premises is false.
D. The professor primarily questions the conclusion that the biologist draws from the sources; the professor does not question the reliability of the sources.
E. The professor undermines the biologist’s argument by claiming that one of its premises is false and thus that the conclusion might not follow. The professor does not claim that if the premises were true the conclusion would have to be false.
The correct answer is C.
Rationale:
Argument Evaluation
Situation
A professor gives us information about one biologist’s opinion, based on numerous studies, about the low probability of sea-lice transmission from farm salmon to wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago. The biologist thinks salinities less than 30 parts per thousand (ppt) would make such transmission unlikely; in the archipelago, the salinity is 25–30 ppt between March and June, the period when wild salmon migration occurs. However, the professor challenges the biologist’s view, maintaining, based on a literature review, that cool spring temperatures in the archipelago, combined with the lower salinity, do favor flourishing of sea lice.
Reasoning
In what way does the professor attempt to undermine the biologist’s argument? The professor points out that a premise used by the biologist—that the low spring salinities in the archipelago when the wild salmon migrate suppress sea-lice proliferation—is not correct. The professor claims the academic literature reveals that two conditions—the 25–30 ppt salinities combined with the cool spring temperatures—would be jointly sufficient for the flourishing of sea lice.
A. This does not accurately describe the professor’s technique. In effect, the professor points out that salinities of 30 ppt or more are NOT necessary for sea-lice survival; lower salinities combined with lower temperatures are sufficient to enable sea-lice survival.
B. The professor cites no studies that suggest unreliable measurement of salinity levels.
C. Correct. As explained in the Reasoning section above, the professor appeals to evidence from the literature to show that one of the biologist’s premises is false.
D. The professor primarily questions the conclusion that the biologist draws from the sources; the professor does not question the reliability of the sources.
E. The professor undermines the biologist’s argument by claiming that one of its premises is false and thus that the conclusion might not follow. The professor does not claim that if the premises were true the conclusion would have to be false.
The correct answer is C.
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