All bears are omnivorous, and most feed accordingly, consuming both

Question

All bears are omnivorous, and most feed accordingly, consuming both plant and animal matter in varying proportions depending on age, species, and geography. However, pandas, native to the Chinese bamboo forests, feed exclusively upon the woody, highly nutritious plants that make up its natural habitat. Genetic testing has revealed that there are several key factors that make pandas different from al other species of bear. From this, we can conclude that there must have been genetic selection pressure on pandas to make greater use of the readily available source of water and nutrition found in their environment.

Select Strengthen for the statement that would, if true, most strengthen the argument, and select Weaken for the statement that, if true, most weaken the argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Select Strengthen for the statement that would, if true, most strengthen the argument, and select Weaken for the statement that, if true, most weaken the argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.

rdsdhar7 · Answer

The passage concludes that "Genetic testing has revealed that there are several key factors that make pandas different from al other species of bear. From this, we can conclude that there must have been genetic selection pressure on pandas to make greater use of the readily available source of water and nutrition found in their environment."; therefore diet has played a key role for genetic differences. now identify the gaps: no other food has same water and is highly nutritious as compared to bamboos. 
Option 1 : Clear Weakener as it states dietery choices hasn't caused genetic differences.
Option 2: This can be considered as a Pseudo Strengthener as it just states the premise.
Option 3: Out of scope
Option 4: Out of Scope
Option 5: Strengther as it states that despite of options pandas lean towards bamboos.

Gemmie · Answer

Weaken:  "None of the identified genetic differences that make pandas unique among bears affects dietary preferences."

The argument asserts that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to evolve to feed exclusively on bamboo. If the identified genetic differences between pandas and other bears do not actually affect dietary preferences, it undermines the claim that genetics drove pandas to specialize in eating bamboo.

Strengthen:  "As they transition from milk to solid foods, panda cubs have shown a preference for bamboo against meat, even though they had been raised by caretakers alongside cubs of other bear species."

This statement supports the argument by indicating that even in a controlled environment with exposure to alternative food sources, panda cubs still prefer bamboo. This preference suggests an innate or genetically influenced inclination towards bamboo, reinforcing the idea that genetic selection pressure led pandas to specialize in eating bamboo. This observation strengthens the argument by providing evidence of a natural predisposition towards bamboo in pandas.

siddhantvarma · Answer

- All bears are omnivores, but pandas eat only bamboo.
- Genetic tests show pandas have genetic differences from other bears.
- Argument/Conclusion: There must have been genetic selection pressure on pandas to adapt to bamboo (because it's a good source of nutrition and water)

Best Strengthen Option:

"As they transition from milk to solid foods, panda cubs have shown a preference for bamboo against meat, even though they had been raised by caretakers alongside cubs of other bear species."

- This supports the idea that the preference is innate/genetic, not learned from environment or other bears — exactly what the argument is claiming.

Best Weaken Option:

"None of the identified genetic differences that make pandas unique among bears affects dietary preferences."

- If genetic differences don’t affect diet, it undermines the claim that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to prefer bamboo.
 
Hence 1st answer choice weakens the argument the most and last answer choice strengthens the argument the most.

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Solution:

1.  None of the identified genetic differences that make pandas unique among bears affect dietary preferences.   Weakner

2.   Bamboo is a better source of food than most vegetation available to most bears because of its relatively high protein and carbohydrate content, as well as its water retention.    It tells us about the benefits of bamboo.

3.   Some animals native to bamboo forests are carnivorous.  No impact on the conclusion

4. The amount of food that bears need per day can vary from season to season.  Irrelevent

5. As they transition from milk to solid foods, panda cubs have shown a preference for bamboo against meat, even though they had been raised by caretakers alongside cubs of other bear species.   Strengthener:    It supports the conclusion of the argument that the available source of water and nutrition puts generic pressure on Pandas.

bhanu29 · Answer

A.

The reasoning of the passage is that pandas are unique among bears in that they feed exclusively on bamboo and due to the presence of several key genetic markers. So, the genetic markers must be what causes pandas to feed exclusively on bamboo and must have been the result of genetic selection pressure on pandas to make use of the bamboo. If the given statement were true, it would undermine this reasoning by suggesting that the genetic markers are irrelevant to why the panda only eats bamboo. Thus, the fact that the genetic markers do not affect dietary preferences cannot be said to strengthen the argument.

The reasoning of the passage is that pandas are unique among bears in that they feed exclusively on bamboo and due to the presence of several key genetic markers. So, the genetic markers must be what causes pandas to feed exclusively on bamboo and must have been the result of genetic selection pressure on pandas to make use of the bamboo. If the given statement were true, it would undermine this reasoning by suggesting that the genetic markers are irrelevant to why the panda only eats bamboo. Thus, the fact that the genetic markers do not affect dietary preferences can be said to weaken the argument.

Hence, A is the correct answer choice for the “Weaken” column.

B. The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The reason why bamboo is a relatively good source of nutrition and water is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that bamboo’s protein, carbohydrate, and water contents make it a better source of food than most vegetation available to most bears cannot be said to strengthen the argument.

The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The reason why bamboo is a relatively good source of nutrition and water is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that bamboo’s protein, carbohydrate, and water contents make it a better source of food than most vegetation available to most bears cannot be said to weaken the argument.

C.

The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The fact that not all animals in the bamboo forests prefer bamboo to meat is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that animals native to bamboo forests are carnivorous cannot be said to strengthen the argument.

The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The fact that not all animals in the bamboo forests prefer bamboo to meat is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that animals native to bamboo forests are carnivorous cannot be said to weaken the argument.

D.

The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The fact that not all animals in the bamboo forests prefer bamboo to meat is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that the amount of food that bears need per day can vary from season to season cannot be said to strengthen the argument.

The passage’s argument is that genetic selection pressure caused pandas to make more use of bamboo, as it is readily available to them and a relatively good source of nutrition and water. The fact that not all animals in the bamboo forests prefer bamboo to meat is irrelevant to the argument. Thus, the fact that the amount of food that bears need per day can vary from season to season cannot be said to weaken the argument.

E.

The reasoning of the passage is that pandas are unique among bears in that they feed exclusively on bamboo and due to the presence of several key genetic markers. So, the genetic markers must be what causes pandas to feed exclusively on bamboo and must have been the result of genetic selection pressure on pandas to make use of the bamboo. If the given statement were true, it would bolster the argument by suggesting that the panda’s preference for bamboo is an inherent trait rather than a learned one. Thus, the fact that panda cubs prefer bamboo to meat, even when not raised by pandas can be said to strengthen the argument.

The reasoning of the passage is that pandas are unique among bears in that they feed exclusively on bamboo and due to the presence of several key genetic markers. So, the genetic markers must be what causes pandas to feed exclusively on bamboo and must have been the result of genetic selection pressure on pandas to make use of the bamboo. If the given statement were true, it would bolster the argument by suggesting that the panda’s preference for bamboo is an inherent trait rather than a learned one. Thus, the fact that panda cubs prefer bamboo to meat, even when not raised by pandas cannot be said to weaken the argument.

Hence, E is the correct answer choice for the “Strengthen” column.

Hence, E is the correct answer choice for the “Strengthen” column, and A is the correct answer choice for the “Weaken” column.

egmat · Answer

Understanding the Argument: 
The passage tells us:
- All bears are omnivorous (eat both plants and animals)
- Pandas are bears BUT they eat  only  bamboo
- Genetic testing shows pandas have genetic differences from other bears

The Conclusion:  There must have been  genetic selection pressure  on pandas to prefer bamboo.

The Hidden Assumption:  The argument assumes that the genetic differences  caused  the dietary preference. But just because pandas are genetically different doesn't automatically mean those differences relate to diet!

Step 1: Find the WEAKEN answer 
We need something that breaks the link between "genetic differences" and "dietary preference."

Option A: "None of the identified genetic differences that make pandas unique among bears affects dietary preferences."

This is  devastating  to the argument! If the genetic differences have  nothing to do with diet , then the conclusion that "genetic selection pressure made pandas prefer bamboo" falls apart completely.

WEAKEN = A

Step 2: Find the STRENGTHEN answer 
We need something that  supports  the idea that genetics (not environment or learning) drives pandas' bamboo preference.

Option E: "As they transition from milk to solid foods, panda cubs have shown a preference for bamboo against meat, even though they had been raised by caretakers alongside cubs of other bear species."

This is  powerful  evidence! Here's why:

- Panda cubs were raised in the  exact same environment  as other bear cubs
- Other bear cubs (presumably) ate meat like normal omnivores
- But panda cubs  still  preferred bamboo

This eliminates environment and learning as explanations. If it's not the environment causing the preference, it  must  be something innate - i.e.,  genetic !

STRENGTHEN = E

Why the other options don't work:

-  Option B  (bamboo is nutritious): Explains why bamboo is  good  food, but doesn't connect to  genetic  selection pressure
-  Option C  (some animals are carnivorous): What other animals eat is irrelevant to pandas' genetic makeup
-  Option D  (food needs vary by season): Completely off-topic - doesn't address genetics or dietary preference

Answer: Strengthen = E, Weaken = A

Key Takeaway:  In Strengthen/Weaken questions, always identify the  assumption  (the unstated link between evidence and conclusion). Here, the assumption was that genetic differences = dietary preferences. The correct answers either support or attack this link.

All bears are omnivorous, and most feed accordingly, consuming both

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Strengthen	Weaken
		None of the identified genetic differences that make pandas unique among bears affects dietary preferences.
		Bamboo is a better source of food than most vegetation available to most bears because of its relatively high protein and carbohydrate content, as well as its water retention.
		Some animals native to bamboo forests are carnivorous.
		The amount of food that bears need per day can vary from season to season.
		As they transition from milk to solid foods, panda cubs have shown a preference for bamboo against meat, even though they had been raised by caretakers alongside cubs of other bear species.

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions

­All bears are omnivorous, and most feed accordingly, consuming both

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

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Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

All bears are omnivorous, and most feed accordingly, consuming both