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555-605 (Medium)|   Weaken|      
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gmt1
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 04 Jun 2015, 23:14
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Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

72% (02:00) correct 28% (02:07) wrong based on 339 sessions

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Proposal: The two most formidable threats faced by freshwater dolphins are depletion of their prey by the enormous by-catch of fish in "mosquito" nets and the increase in pollution that reduces freshwater resources. To slow the dolphins' extinction, local fishermen should stop using "mosquito" nets and turn to other fishing methods.
Objection: Any other fishing method requires the use of more motor boats that will inevitably lead to further the increase in pollution and further threaten the dolphins.


Which of the following, if true, most adequately counters the objection to the proposal?


A. It is impossible for the local fishermen to completely stop using the "mosquito" nets because this would result in financial losses.
B. Replacing "mosquito" nets with other fishing methods would more than double the amount of fish available for dolphins to consume.
C. With the help of active environmental campaigns, local authorities could be persuaded to build more water purification facilities, thus making pollution less of a problem for dolphins.
D. Dolphins suffer significantly more when their food is scarce than when the level of pollution increases.
E. Regardless of whether the food is scarce or abundant, it is unlikely that dolphins will be able to survive if the present rate of pollution increases.
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D
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rajeshjainpharma
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 04 Jun 2015, 23:45
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In order to counter the objection we have to show that pollution is not the major reason for dolphins extinction.
D options shows the same.
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swapyuee
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 07 Jun 2015, 00:10
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Isn't C similar to D ? In C , it says that the authorities could be persuaded to make pollution less of a problem for dolphins.
In D , it says the effect of pollution is not that significant. Is D option preferred because persuading the authorities is kind of a long shot ?
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 20 Jun 2015, 02:50
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Isn't C similar to D ? In C , it says that the authorities could be persuaded to make pollution less of a problem for dolphins.
In D , it says the effect of pollution is not that significant. Is D option preferred because persuading the authorities is kind of a long shot ?
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No, the interpretation is quite different here-

Note the subtle difference in two main causes of extinction. The Proposal emphasizes specifically that fishermen turn to other fishing methods because dolphin's food is caught enormously with so-called mosquito nets.

Therefore, in slowing the rate of extinction, anybody has to stress more on the issue of dolphin's food depletion rather than pollution levels. And that is exactly what (D) does.

In contrast, C stresses more on pollution levels.

Does this help?
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 20 Jun 2015, 06:30
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gmt1
Proposal: The two most formidable threats faced by freshwater dolphins are depletion of their prey by the enormous by-catch of fish in "mosquito" nets and the increase in pollution that reduces freshwater resources. To slow the dolphins' extinction, local fishermen should stop using "mosquito" nets and turn to other fishing methods.

Objection: Any other fishing method requires the use of more motor boats that will inevitably lead to further the increase in pollution and further threaten the dolphins.
Show more

Threats of freshwater dolphins -

1. Depletion of their prey
2. Increase in Pollution

To check the problem : Use of any other fishing methods ( more motor boats) will lead to further increase in population.

Which of the following, if true, most adequately counters the objection to the proposal? - Weakening the Conclusion


A. It is impossible for the local fishermen to completely stop using the "mosquito" nets because this would result in financial losses. - Out of scope and completely wrong.

B. Replacing "mosquito" nets with other fishing methods would more than double the amount of fish available for dolphins to consume.

Ok lets accept for the sake of arguement that other fishing methods will increase the amount of fish available for dolphins to consume , but what about the Pollution ?

This statement neither supports nor weakens the conclusion.. - Incorrect

C. With the help of active environmental campaigns, local authorities could be persuaded to build more water purification facilities, thus making pollution less of a problem for dolphins.

Using local authorities..... to build more........thus making pollution less of a problem...........

Completely relying on outside aid , Incorrect.

D. Dolphins suffer significantly more when their food is scarce than when the level of pollution increases.

Scarcity of Food > Pollution....

Pollution is not primary concern for the Dolphins and clearly challenges the Conclusion .

This statement further suggests that use of other fishing method can be introduced without threateniing the Dolphin population...

E. Regardless of whether the food is scarce or abundant, it is unlikely that dolphins will be able to survive if the present rate of pollution increases.

This is a dubious statement having 2 possible effects -

1. If rate of Pollution increases - unlikely that dolphins will be able to survive.

2. If rate of Pollution doesn't increase then ?????? - Will the dolphins survive ?

Based on the above IMO (D)
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Proposal: The two most formidable threats 08 Aug 2022, 03:39
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