OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
(1) Identify the Question
Support the prediction in the question stem indicates that this is a Strengthen the Argument question.



(2) Deconstruct the Argument
The rat invasion is causing crop loss and human injuries so the government plans to import mongooses to eliminate the rats.

Here is one possible way to map the argument.

Rats invaded the island and multiplied.

Rats now damaging crops and biting people.

Import mongooses to eliminate the rats.

© The govt plan will not work


(3) State the Goal
The question asks for support for a prediction that importing mongooses will not solve the rat infestation.



(4) Work From Wrong to Right

(A) Like the rats, there is no reason that the mongooses will not breed and increase their numbers sufficiently, and the government did not claim that it would only take one year.

(B) This choice does not state that mongooses are incapable of killing rats. If anything, since they eat rodents, this choice would make it more likely that the plan would work.

(C) This choice is irrelevant as it does not say that public opinion will stop or hinder the plan.

(D) This is an irrelevant comparison. Even though poison is more effective, this does not mean that employing mongooses will not succeed.

(E) CORRECT. Since the rats are nocturnal and the mongooses hunt during the day, the two species will have little interaction and thus the mongooses will not winnow the rat population.

KUDOS PLEASE

Brilliant question. I did not pay attention to the word nocturnal and ended up picking B as E seemed irrelevant.

Please explain the question stem. as it says will not have its intended effects.
This doesn't mean to weaken govt claim??

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