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17 Dec 2025, 09:00
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Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
86% (01:50) correct
14%
(02:19)
wrong
based on 276
sessions
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By 1970, rampant whaling had reduced the population of humpback whales to ten percent of its original size. In response, a worldwide moratorium on whaling was enacted. By 2009, the population had largely recovered, and the moratorium was eased in a few restricted areas. During the 2010s, reports of ships encountering humpback whales on the open increased in comparison with the reports in the 2000s. Therefore, despite whatever whaling took place, the humpback whale population must have increased considerably during the 2010s.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
A. Throughout the 2010s, the sale of products derived from humpback whales was more strictly regulated than whaling was.
B. The whaling restrictions applied to both private and government whalers.
C. Humpback whale sightings in coastal regions increased in number, greatly, during the 2010s.
D. There were significantly greater number of ships in the sea in the 2010s than in the 2000s.
E. Most humpback whale sightings on the open sea in the 2010s occurred in regions where there were very few ships.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
A. Throughout the 2010s, the sale of products derived from humpback whales was more strictly regulated than whaling was.
B. The whaling restrictions applied to both private and government whalers.
C. Humpback whale sightings in coastal regions increased in number, greatly, during the 2010s.
D. There were significantly greater number of ships in the sea in the 2010s than in the 2000s.
E. Most humpback whale sightings on the open sea in the 2010s occurred in regions where there were very few ships.
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17 Dec 2025, 10:00
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Bunuel
Experts' Global Official Solution:
Mind-map: By 1970, whaling had reduced population of whales à whaling was banned worldwide à by 2009, population recovered à ban on whaling was restricted in a few areas à more reports of ships sighting whales on open seas in 2010s than in 2000s à despite whaling taking place, whale population increased considerably in 2010s (conclusion)
Missing-link: Between reports of ships sighting whales on open seas increasing between 1970s and 2010s and the conclusion that, despite whaling taking place, whale population increased considerably in 2010s
Expectation from the correct answer choice: To weaken the conclusion that, despite whaling taking place, whale population increased considerably in 2010
A. Trap. By suggesting that selling whale products was more strictly regulated than whaling was, this answer choice indicates that whalers likely have little incentive for whaling and likely explains why the whale population increased considerably in the 2010s; thus, this answer choice, if anything, supports, rather than weakens, the conclusion. Because this answer choice does not weaken the argument, this answer choice is incorrect.
B. The argument is concerned with whether the whale population increased despite the easing of whaling restrictions; so, information about what type of whalers were restricted is just additional information and has no bearing on the argument. Because this answer choice does not weaken the argument, this answer choice is incorrect.
C. By suggesting that the number of whale sightings increased in coastal regions during the 2010s, this answer choice supports, rather than weakens, the conclusion. Because this answer choice does not weaken the argument, this answer choice is incorrect.
D. Correct. By suggesting that there were significantly more ships in the sea in the 2010s than in the 2000s, this answer choice introduces the possibility that the increase in whale sightings between the 2010s and the 2000s may be because of the increase in the number of ships on the sea and not necessarily because of the increase in the whale population, thus weakening the conclusion. Because this answer choice weakens the argument, this answer choice is correct.
E. Trap. This answer choice, suggesting that most sightings occurred in certain regions, provides no information about whether the whale population increased considerably in the 2010s; so, this answer choice is just additional detail and does not weaken the conclusion. Because this answer choice does not weaken the conclusion, this answer choice is incorrect.
D is the best choice.
General Discussion
17 Dec 2025, 09:07
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Conclusion:- whale pop in 2010 has increased from 2000
Premise:- since the number of whale killing due to ships has increased from 2000 to 2010.
IMO D, If number of ships increased from x to 2x then chances of killing whales can increase.
The question is a weaken type.
Premise:- since the number of whale killing due to ships has increased from 2000 to 2010.
IMO D, If number of ships increased from x to 2x then chances of killing whales can increase.
The question is a weaken type.
