The short and shaggy Highland Cattle are an iconic feature of Scotland

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

Question presents details about the Highland Cattle, the shaggy breed of cattle iconic to the Scottish landscape. The author mentions that the Highland Cattle are strong and “resilient” and that they have lived in Scotland for an extensive period of time. The author also notes that the Highland Cattle have traditionally lived in the wild, are well-used to the harsh Highland climate and might live up to twenty years and give birth fifteen times. The question asks what inference can be drawn from the statements in the passage. Note that this question does not ask for the main point, so the student must look at each answer choice carefully to decide which is most likely to be correct.

The Correct Answer:

C The author states specifically, “The Highland Cattle are most common in the remote areas of the Highlands where they live and breed wild, and they are known for their hardy ability to withstand the elements.” The author also states in the previous sentence that the Highland Cattle have lived in the Scottish Highlands for “unknown centuries.” This suggests that the cattle have found a way to adapt to the harsh northern climate of Scotland during the centuries that they have lived there and have thus found a way to survive in that climate. Answer choice (C), therefore, is correct.

The Incorrect Answers:

A The author of the passage notes that the Highland Cattle have traditionally lived wild in the Scottish Highlands, but there is nothing in the passage to suggest that the cattle are not good for human consumption and can be used only for grazing. Answer choice (A), then, cannot be inferred from the passage and is thus incorrect.

B Although the passage indicates that the Highland Cattle are native to Scotland and have adapted to the climate of Scotland, the passage does not necessarily suggest that this is the only breed that can survive in Scotland. The author focuses almost exclusively on the cattle in the Highland region of Scotland; other breeds might very well be able to survive in southern parts of Scotland. Answer choice (B) states details that are not supported by the information in the passage, so it can be eliminated.

D The author of the passage makes no mention of the interaction between Highland Cattle and human residents of the Highlands, so answer choice (D) cannot be inferred from the information in the passage. It can be eliminated immediately.

E The passage does not make claims on the availability of food for the Highland Cattle, so this answer choice cannot reasonably be inferred. (Rather, as the author notes that Highland Cattle have lived wild in the Highlands for “unknown centuries,” it stands to reason that the availability of food has been adequate for the Highland Cattle). Answer choice (E) is incorrect.