Conservationist: The population of a certain wildflower is so small th

Question

Conservationist: The population of a certain wildflower is so small that the species is headed for extinction. However, this wildflower can cross-pollinate with a closely related domesticated daisy, producing viable seeds. Such cross-pollination could result in a significant population of wildflower-daisy hybrids. The daisy should therefore be introduced into the wildflower's range, since although the hybrid would differ markedly from the wildflower, hybridization is the only means of preventing total loss of the wildflower in its range.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the conservationists reasoning depends?

(A) The wildflower currently reproduces only by forming seeds. 
(B) The domesticated daisy was bred from wild plants that once grew in the wildflower's range. 
(C) Increasing the population of the wildflower will also expand its range. 
(D) Wildflower-daisy hybrids will be able to reproduce. 
(E) The domesticated daisy will cross-pollinate with any daisy like plant.

askul2389 · Answer

Option D is correct. If hybrids will not be able to produce. Wildflowers will totally become extinct.

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anje29 · Answer

was confused between A and D , after analysis found D is better connected with conclusion than A.

anje29 · Answer

Hi,

Premise : The population of a certain wildflower is so small that the species is headed for extinction. However, this wildflower can cross-pollinate with a closely related domesticated daisy, producing viable seeds. Such cross-pollination could result in a significant population of wildflower-daisy hybrids.

Conclusion : The daisy should therefore be introduced into the wildflower's range, since although the hybrid would differ markedly from the wildflower, hybridization is the only means of preventing total loss of the wildflower in its range.

Option E states that the domesticated daisy will cross-pollinate with any daisy like plant - This information is irrelevant as Premises already mention that wildflowers can cross-pollinate with a closely related daisy flower . You can eliminate this answer on the basis of this reasoning. In critical reasoning questions you should follow elimination technique .

arjittak · Answer

Hi Anje,

As you said in your post that premises already mention that wildflowers can cross- pollinate with a closely related daisy flower however, it does not mentioned whether Daisy flower can cross pollinate with closely related daisy flower or not. 
Further, if we do negation test to option E , it will clearly weaken the argument. 
Thus making it most appropriate underlying assumption.

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anje29 · Answer

Hi,
Lets say a hybrid can be made by mixing A with B is same as saying hybrid can be made by mixing B with A . It is clearly mentioned in premise that wildflower cross pollinated and produced viable seeds ( It is a fact mentioned in the premises ). And moreover the assumption will not be that daisy can cross pollinate with  any   daisy like plant. It has no impact on conclusion.

The conclusion said by doing hybridization wildflower can be saved , now we have to support this point accepting the fact mentioned in premise as true . However we have to help the conclusion by adding missing assumption of the author ( though wildflower can cross pollinate with daisy but to increase the number of hybrid wild flower , will hybrid wild flowers will be able to reproduce ? )

The prethinking here would be : the hybrid will be able to reproduce further otherwise the claim that wildflower extinction can be stopped will be weaken.

Fact in premises will always be true . You can not doubt the facts mentioned in the premises but you can suspect the reasoning in the premises ( only in second and third family type questions ). Focus on conclusion .

Happy Learning

arjittak · Answer

Hi,
Lets say a hybrid can be made by mixing A with B is same as saying hybrid can be made by mixing B with A . It is clearly mentioned in premise that wildflower cross pollinated and produced viable seeds ( It is a fact mentioned in the premises ). And moreover the assumption will not be that daisy can cross pollinate with  any   daisy like plant. It has no impact on conclusion.

The conclusion said by doing hybridization wildflower can be saved , now we have to support this point accepting the fact mentioned in premise as true . However we have to help the conclusion by adding missing assumption of the author ( though wildflower can cross pollinate with daisy but to increase the number of hybrid wild flower , will hybrid wild flowers will be able to reproduce ? )

The prethinking here would be : the hybrid will be able to reproduce further otherwise the claim that wildflower extinction can be stopped will be weaken.

Fact in premises will always be true . You can not doubt the facts mentioned in the premises but you can suspect the reasoning in the premises ( only in second and third family type questions ). Focus on conclusion .

Happy Learning   
I got it..thanks for taking time.

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chesstitans · Answer

this question is interesting, indeed. 
The passage looks unintelligible first, the argument structure turns out to be simple.

Options contain familiar patterns. For example, E does not give new information to evaluate the conclusion, and E is too extreme b/c of "any"
B is a common pattern that strengthens the conclusion.
D is the common pattern in assumption.

Divijakanneganty · Answer

Assumptions:
1. There are no other ways to prevent the wildflower
2. The daisy-wildflower cross pollination can take place

(A) The wildflower currently reproduces only by forming seeds.
 This option is too generic. It would have been an assumption had it included the phrase "with daisy" 
 (B) The domesticated daisy was bred from wild plants that once grew in the wildflower's range.
 Origin of daisy is irrelevant to arrive at the conclusion 
(C) Increasing the population of the wildflower will also expand its range.
 Preventing the wildflower from extinction is the primary idea, expanding its range is not  
(D) Wildflower-daisy hybrids will be able to reproduce.
 This is a premise that needs to be true 
(E) The domesticated daisy will cross-pollinate with any daisy like plant.
 Irrelevant as the option doesn't talk about wildflower

abhishekmayank · Answer

Not sure the validity of correct answer. Already it is mentioned in the premise :

"Such cross-pollination could result in a significant population of wildflower-daisy hybrids"

How can it be an assumption ?

Divijakanneganty · Answer

"Such cross-pollination could result in a significant population of wildflower-daisy hybrids" The word subtly shows the possibility of the result. By the end, the conservationist arrives at a strong conclusion (hybridization is the only means of preventing total loss of the wildflower in its range). In saying so he has implicitly assumed that the Wildflower-daisy hybrids will be able to reproduce. Hope it helps

unraveled · Answer

Conservationist: The population of a certain wildflower is so small that the species is headed for extinction. However, this wildflower can cross-pollinate with a closely related domesticated daisy, producing viable seeds. Such cross-pollination could result in a significant population of wildflower-daisy hybrids. The daisy should therefore be introduced into the wildflower's range, since although the hybrid would differ markedly from the wildflower, hybridization is the only means of preventing total loss of the wildflower in its range.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the conservationists reasoning depends?

(A) The wildflower currently  reproduces only by  forming seeds. - WRONG. How it currently reproduces is out of context. 
(B) The domesticated daisy was  bred from wild plants that once grew  in the wildflower's range. - WORNG. Not necessarily true. But most importantly its irrelevant.
(C) Increasing the population of the wildflower will also  expand its range . - WRONG. Out of scope.
(D) Wildflower-daisy hybrids  will be able to reproduce . - CORRECT. If not then preventing loss of population is difficult.
(E) The domesticated daisy will cross-pollinate with  any daisy like plant . - WRONG. The focus actually shifts from wildflower to domesticated daisy. It kind of a shell in nature as in wildflower is projected as a type of daisy.

Answer D.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Conservationist: The population of a certain wildflower is so small th

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