The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma, pan

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 280, Date : 20-Aug-2019
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The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, painter, mountain cat, or catamount, is a large cat native to the Americas. Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. An adaptable, generalist species, the cougar is found in most American habitat types. Secretive and largely solitary by nature, the cougar is properly considered both nocturnal and crepuscular, although sightings during daylight hours do rarely occur. The cougar is more closely related to smaller felines, including the domestic cat, than to any subspecies of lion.

An excellent stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range. This cat prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but can also live in open areas. While large, it is not always the apex predator in its range, yielding to the jaguar, gray wolf, American black bear, and grizzly bear. It is reclusive and mostly avoids people, so fatal attacks on humans are rare but have been trending upward in certain areas during recent years as more people enter their territory.

Excessive hunting following European colonization of the Americas and the ongoing human development of cougar habitat has caused populations to drop in most parts of its historical range. In particular, the cougar was extirpated in eastern North America in the beginning of the 20th century, except for an isolated subpopulation in Florida. However, in recent decades, breeding populations have moved east into the far western parts of the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Transient males have been verified in Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Illinois, where a cougar was shot in the city limits of Chicago, and, in at least one instance, observed as far east as Connecticut. Today, reports of eastern cougars (Puma concolor cougar) still surface, but the last verified one was killed in 2011.   1 
 B

Explanation: For this type of broad, universal question, you must use your general understanding of the passage to determine where it would most likely come from. (A) is out of scope because you do not know if the cougar is an endangered species. While the populations have declined, you are not given enough information to determine this. Clearly, this would not be an excerpt from such a textbook if the cougar is not an endangered species. (B) matches the text perfectly. In the passage you learn a series of facts about the cougar’s history (a North American predator), its habitat, and its behavior – all things you would expect to see in a field book. For (C), this does not come from a proposal – in that type of document you would expect to see some new ideas or prescriptions and the focus would be on protecting the species. (D) is far too broad and off-topic, as this passage is specifically about cougars and their traits. The passage only talks briefly about the effects of human development on the cougar. (E) is even broader in scope, and probably the easiest of the five choices to eliminate. Answer is (B). 
 1. This is most likely an excerpt from which of the following:

(A) A textbook on endangered species
(B) A field book on North American predators
(C) A proposal to help protect the cougar species in North America
(D) A government study on the effects of human development
(E) An analysis of North American ecosystems

2 
 D
Explanation: For this question, you must go through each choice, find where it is discussed in the passage, and determine if it is a proper inference. For (A), there is no evidence given to support this conclusion. While you learn that cougars have traditionally been found in Florida and have recently moved into Minnesota, there is no way to determine from the passage where more exist. For (B), you learn in the passage that hunting played a role in the decline of cougar populations, as did human encroachment on cougar habitat. However you have no idea from the passage if hunting has been the PRIMARY cause of the decrease across its ENTIRE habitat. Be careful about such strongly worded language in any inference questions. (C), like (B), goes too far and is not a reasonable inference. You learn that attacks on humans are rare and have been generally trending upwards, but you have no idea what the case is in Florida and whether attacks there are more likely than several decades ago. For (D), you learn in the passage that “Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of ANY large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.” From this you can infer with certainty that the cougar has a larger range than the grizzly bear or American bison. Of course, the trick in this answer choice is that the American Bison is not discussed in the passage, but it is certainly a wild terrestrial mammal so (D) must be true. For (E), you learn specifically that the cougar is NOT always the apex predator in its range so you cannot make this inference. Answer is (D). 
 2. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

(A) There are more cougars in Florida than there are in Minnesota.
(B) Excessive hunting has been the primary cause of the population decrease in cougars across its entire habitat. 
(C) In Florida, cougar attacks on humans are more likely now than they were several decades ago. 
(D) The cougar has a larger range than either the grizzly bear or the American bison.
(E) The cougar is considered the apex predator in most habitats.

3 
 C
Explanation: For this type of question, use your initial reading to try to locate each of these topics quickly. For (A), the habitat of the cougar is discussed in several places, so this is not the correct answer. In the beginning of the 2nd paragraph the cougar is described as “An excellent stalk-and-ambush predator,” which describes exactly how the cougar pursues its prey. As a result, (B) can be eliminated. Answer choice (C) is tricky but it is NOT found in the passage and is thus correct. While you learn the effects of human encroachment on cougar habitat, there is nothing in the passage about how land preservation has affected the cougar. In the third paragraph you learn about the extirpation of the cougar in the 20th century (1900s) so (D) is not correct. And lastly, in the end of the first paragraph you learn that the cougar is more closely related to felines than to lions – a portion of the evolutionary history of the cougar. Answer is (C). 
 3. All of the following are discussed in the passage EXCEPT:

(A) the habitat of the cougar.
(B) how the cougar pursues its prey.
(C) the effects of land preservation on the cougar.
(D) extirpation of the cougar in the 1900s. 
(E) the evolutionary history of the cougar.

4 
 C 
 4. According to the passage, you would most likely see a cougar in which of the following situations:

a. On the east coast of the U.S. in late afternoon.
b. In the southern hemisphere, particularly around livestock.
c. In the Yukon while driving during the night.
d. In Chicago during the morning hours.
e. In Florida during the middle of the day.

ankur909090 · Answer

Kunal760  for inference question you need to remember how the RC is structured and how details are spreaded in the RC because options given in inference question can come up from any part of RC.
(A) There are more cougars in Florida than there are in Minnesota. para 3 , line 5 
(B) Excessive hunting has been the primary cause of the population decrease in cougars across its entire habitat. para 3 line 1
(C) In Florida, cougar attacks on humans are more likely now than they were several decades ago. para 3 last line
(D) The cougar has a larger range than either the grizzly bear or the American bison. para 1 line 4 
(E) The cougar is considered the apex predator in most habitats. para 2 line 6

correct option is D

NinetyFour · Answer

For Q2) can we assume the American bison is an animal found in the western hemisphere?

"Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere"

What if the bison isn't found in the Western hemisphere and as such has a larger range than the puma.

GMATNinja

gmatway · Answer

1. This is most likely an excerpt from which of the following:

(A) A textbook on endangered species (we cant guess this. Nowehere in the passage its mentioned that now its endangered . however while reading the last line of last para you might get a feel that this option is true .But this hasnt been mentioned in passage so dont assume look for better option- reject )
(B)  A field book on North American predators  (the only option left - so B is the right choice)
(C) A proposal to help protect the cougar species in North America (no proposal has been made to protect them - reject)
(D) A government study on the effects of human development (this passage doesnt talk abt any such govt study - so reject)
(E) An analysis of North American ecosystems (this is not about ecosystem - reject)

2. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

(A) There are more cougars in Florida than there are in Minnesota.(no where its mentioned )
(B) Excessive hunting has been the primary cause of the population decrease in cougars across its entire habitat. (we cant assume that hunting led to the decrease in population there could be so many other factors as well)
(C) In Florida, cougar attacks on humans are more likely now than they were several decades ago. (the passage mentions this but FLORIDA no no no . the passage says when people enter their territory - refer lines - It is reclusive and mostly avoids people, so fatal attacks on humans are rare  but have been trending upward in certain areas during recent years as more people enter their territory. SO REJECT)
(D)  The cougar has a larger range than either the grizzly bear or the American bison.  YES (This cat prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but can also live in open areas. While large, it is not always the apex predator in its range, yielding to the jaguar, gray wolf, American black bear, and grizzly bear.)
(E) The cougar is considered the apex predator in most habitats - (I dont see any words in the passage to establish this claim . SO REJECT)

3. All of the following are discussed in the passage EXCEPT:

(A) the habitat of the cougar. (yes this has been mentioned in the passage with details )
(B) how the cougar pursues its prey. (An excellent stalk-and-ambush predator, the cougar pursues a wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, as well as domestic cattle, horses and sheep, particularly in the northern part of its range. - A PART OF HOW COUGAR PURSUES PREY HAS BEEN MENTIONED IN PASSAGE ) 
(C)  the effects of land preservation on the cougar .(I dont see any PARA or LINE which says the land preservation or its effect on COUGAR- so this is the right choice )
(D) extirpation of the cougar in the 1900s. (the last para mentions details of this extirpation)
(E) the evolutionary history of the cougar.(refer 1st and last para it gives idea about history of cougar )

gvij2017 · Answer

History of cougars and evolution of cougars, both are different things. 
I don't see anything related to evolution of cougars. 
I think C and E both are valid answer for 3rd problem.

jayarora · Answer

1. This is most likely an excerpt from which of the following:

(A) A textbook on endangered species
(B) A field book on North American predators
(C) A proposal to help protect the cougar species in North America
(D) A government study on the effects of human development
(E) An analysis of North American ecosystems

Hi expert, no where in the passage it says that Cougar is native to North America. So, how is B justified?

Thank you in advance

rishit924 · Answer

Sir, Q2 - (D) The cougar has a larger range than either the grizzly bear or the American bison . YES (This cat prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but can also live in open areas. While large, it is not always the apex predator in its range, yielding to the jaguar, grey wolf, American black bear, and grizzly bear.) The cougar has a larger range than the grizzly bear that is clear but how about the American bison? we don't have any hint about it in the whole passage. How can we infer that The cougar has a larger range than the American bison? Thanks in advance

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. This is most likely an excerpt from which of the following:

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

For this type of broad, universal question, you must use your general understanding of the passage to determine where it would most likely come from.

(A)  is out of scope because you do not know if the cougar is an endangered species. While the populations have declined, you are not given enough information to determine this. Clearly, this would not be an excerpt from such a textbook if the cougar is not an endangered species.

(B)  matches the text perfectly. In the passage you learn a series of facts about the cougar’s history (a North American predator), its habitat, and its behavior – all things you would expect to see in a field book.

For  (C) , this does not come from a proposal – in that type of document you would expect to see some new ideas or prescriptions and the focus would be on protecting the species.

(D)  is far too broad and off-topic, as this passage is specifically about cougars and their traits. The passage only talks briefly about the effects of human development on the cougar.

(E)  is even broader in scope, and probably the easiest of the five choices to eliminate.

Answer is (B).

ricardorr04 · Answer

7.5 mins, 3/4 correct. got stumped on the second question bc had trouble finding support for the actual answer choice D, so ended up choosing A by process of PoE on the other choices.

The key to getting the first question right is understanding that the puma as an "endangered" species is out of scope since this is never stressed out in the passage. By process of PoE only answer that fits appropriately is B.

Thanks

junii · Answer

Pls post official explanation for Q2  Sajjad1994

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

For this question, you must go through each choice, find where it is discussed in the passage, and determine if it is a proper inference. For  (A) , there is no evidence given to support this conclusion. While you learn that cougars have traditionally been found in Florida and have recently moved into Minnesota, there is no way to determine from the passage where more exist.

For  (B) , you learn in the passage that hunting played a role in the decline of cougar populations, as did human encroachment on cougar habitat. However you have no idea from the passage if hunting has been the PRIMARY cause of the decrease across its ENTIRE habitat. Be careful about such strongly worded language in any inference questions.

(C) , like  (B) , goes too far and is not a reasonable inference. You learn that attacks on humans are rare and have been generally trending upwards, but you have no idea what the case is in Florida and whether attacks there are more likely than several decades ago.

For  (D) , you learn in the passage that  “Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of ANY large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.”  From this you can infer with certainty that the cougar has a larger range than the grizzly bear or American bison. Of course, the trick in this answer choice is that the American Bison is not discussed in the passage, but it is certainly a wild terrestrial mammal so  (D)  must be true.

For  (E) , you learn specifically that the cougar is NOT always the apex predator in its range so you cannot make this inference.

Answer is (D).

Pranjal3107 · Answer

For Q4, doesn't the passage say that there is an isolated population of cougar in Florida now whereas the rest of it was wiped out in the 20th century. Hence I concluded that E would be a good choice. Can someone please explain ?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. According to the passage, you would most likely see a cougar in which of the following situations:

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

The only place in the passage where likelihood of sighting can be determined comes in this sentence:  “Secretive and largely solitary by nature, the cougar is properly considered both nocturnal and crepuscular, although sightings during daylight hours do rarely occur.” “Nocturnal”  means active during the nighttime hours and  “crepuscular”  means active during the evening and morning twilight hours (a word you are unlikely to know and not essential for getting this correct!).

In the five answer choices you are looking for the one choice that describes a situation in nighttime hours. Only  (C)  does that and is thus the correct answer.

For the other choices, no real information is given in the passage about a predilection for regions (except less likely to be seen on East Coast) and none of those choices describe a situation during nighttime hours.

Answer is (C).

ayerhs · Answer

This question really confuses me!!
I am really not clear on the explanations here! Please help out!

In Q1, This is most likely an excerpt from which of the following:
For option E ??? An analysis of North American ecosystems
We are asked to eliminate E because (E) is even broader in scope. Basically don???t assume.

But in Q2 - Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?
Opt D - The cougar has a larger range than either the grizzly bear or the American bison.
We are asked to assume something that???s not even given in the passage
For (D), you learn in the passage that ???Its range, from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, is the greatest of ANY large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.??? From this you can infer with certainty that the cougar has a larger range than the grizzly bear or American bison. Of course, the trick in this answer choice is that the American Bison is not discussed in the passage, but it is certainly a wild terrestrial mammal so (D) must be true.

And then again in Q 3 - All of the following are discussed in the passage EXCEPT:
(C) the effects of land preservation on the cougar.

(E) the evolutionary history of the cougar.
???E - And lastly, in the end of the first paragraph you learn that the cougar is more closely related to felines than to lions ??? a portion of the evolutionary history of the cougar. ???
We are again asked to assume for E (which is not right answer according to them) that. 
It should be both C & E. the Mentioned part does not constitute the Evolutionary History.
As  gvij2017  has written History of cougars and evolution of cougars, both are different things. 
I don't see anything related to evolution of cougars.

nottheusual · Answer

Please post the OE for Q3 too  Sajjad1994

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. All of the following are discussed in the passage EXCEPT:

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

For this type of question, use your initial reading to try to locate each of these topics quickly. For  (A) , the habitat of the cougar is discussed in several places, so this is not the correct answer. In the beginning of the  2nd paragraph  the cougar is described as  “An excellent stalk-and-ambush predator,”  which describes exactly how the cougar pursues its prey.

As a result,  (B)  can be eliminated. Answer  choice (C)  is tricky but it is NOT found in the passage and is thus correct. While you learn the effects of human encroachment on cougar habitat, there is nothing in the passage about how land preservation has affected the cougar.

In the  third paragraph  you learn about the extirpation of the cougar in the 20th century (1900s) so  (D)  is not correct. And lastly, in the end of the  first paragraph  you learn that the cougar is more closely related to felines than to lions – a portion of the evolutionary history of the cougar.

Answer is (C).

nottheusual · Answer

Sajjad1994  thanks so much! 
Does this mean that this sentence alone is sufficient to be classified as data on 'evolutionary history'?
"The cougar is more closely related to smaller felines, including the domestic cat, than to any subspecies of lion."

plaverbach · Answer

Several unanswered questions, mine is about Q2

There are more cougars in Florida than there are in Minnesota.
 Excessive hunting has been the primary cause of the population decrease in cougars across its entire habitat.
 In Florida, cougar attacks on humans are more likely now than they were several decades ago.

bM22 · Answer

Hi  plaverbach ,

Let me know if this helps.

A is incorrect, as it's not mentioned anywhere in the passage. Even if we consider the lines: "In particular, the cougar was extirpated in eastern North America in the beginning of the 20th century, except for an isolated subpopulation in Florida. However, in recent decades, breeding populations have moved east into the far western parts of the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Transient males have been verified in Minnesota", we cannot infer if there are more cougars in Florida than there are in Minnesota.

B is incorrect, as even though mentioned: "Excessive hunting following European colonization of the Americas and the ongoing human development of cougar habitat has caused populations to drop in most parts of its historical range.", we cannot infer if this was the fundamental cause of the population decrease in cougars.

Consider the lines: "It is reclusive and mostly avoids people, so fatal attacks on humans are rare but have been trending upward in certain areas during recent years as more people enter their territory.". Here again, we cannot infer this being specifically mentioned with respect to Florida. Hence, C is incorrect as well.

Thanks.

plaverbach · Answer

First things first: THANKS!

So we would need to know that the grizzly bear is from America, right?

The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma, pan

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma, pan

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