The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago

Question

The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels’ habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. (Premise)
Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels.(Premise)
The officials argue that this measure, while eliminating the squirrels, would pose no threat to the owl population, since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents. (Conclusion)

Option B clearly weakens the conclusion that the measure would pose no threat to the owl population. Owls feed on rodents and if rodents are eliminated so will owl.

Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the officials’ argument?

(A) One of the species whose members are likely to eat the poison is the red squirrel, a species on which owls do not prey.

(B) The owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed by the gray squirrels feed primarily on rodents.

(C) No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangered owls is threatened by the gray squirrels.

(D) The owls that are threatened build their nests in the tops of trees, but the gray squirrels strip away bark from the trunks.

(E) The officials’ plan entails adding the poison to food sources that are usually eaten by rodents but not by other animals.

winterschool · Answer

B shows a threat to the owl population because owl will eat poisoned rodents. weaken conclusion

kaptainklutz · Answer

E perhaps 
the poison might not be eaten by the squirrels afterall if it is specifically for the rodents, weakening the whole argument

winterschool · Answer

E is contradicting, main aim is to eliminate squirrels not only rodents.

ashpriya · Answer

(B) The owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed by the gray squirrels feed primarily on rodents.

the statement says "since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents"
So, the rodents are the going to decline because of poison and the rodents are the primary feed of owls . If the primary feed declines, owl's population will also decline.

NirupamaIyer · Answer

The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels’ habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. (Premise)
Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels.(Premise)
The officials argue that this measure,  while eliminating the squirrels,  would pose no threat to the owl population, since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other  rodents.  (Conclusion)

Option B clearly weakens the conclusion that the measure would pose no threat to the owl population. Owls feed on rodents and if rodents are eliminated so will owl.

unraveled · Answer

The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels’ habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. (Premise)
Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels.(Premise)
The officials argue that this measure, while eliminating the squirrels, would pose no threat to the owl population, since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents. (Conclusion)

Option B clearly weakens the conclusion that the measure would pose no threat to the owl population. Owls feed on rodents and if rodents are eliminated so will owl.

Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the officials’ argument?

(A) One of the species whose members are likely to eat the poison is the red squirrel, a species on which  owls do not prey . - WRONG. Strengthens.

(B) The  owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed  by the gray squirrels  feed primarily on rodents .

(C) No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangered owls is threatened by the gray squirrels. - WRONG. Irrelevant.
 
(D) The owls that are threatened build their nests in the tops of trees, but the gray squirrels strip away bark from the trunks. - WRONG. Again kind of neutral.

(E) The officials’ plan entails adding the poison to food sources that are usually eaten by rodents but not by other animals. - WRONG. Strengthens somewhat as it only reiterates what is mentioned in the passage.

The whole argument depends in the effectiveness of logic given in the highlighted text. Anything that questions the accessibility aspect either for squirrels or rodents, or after-effects of the two consuming poison would lead us the answer.

B gives us that question.

Answer B.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago

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The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago

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