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Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than

akela

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Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do. This is probably a consequence of the unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems. To survive, carnivorous mammals must eat much more than carnivorous reptiles need to; thus carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

(A) Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do.
(B) In ecosystems in which there is relatively little food carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles.
(C) The unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems is probably the reason Australia has considerably fewer carnivorous mammal species than other continents do but about as many carnivorous reptile species.
(D) The reason that carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food is that they must eat much more in order to survive than carnivorous reptiles need to.
(E) Because Australia’s ecosystems are unusually sparse, carnivorous mammals there are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles.

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fireflyejd1

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17 Feb 2020, 09:18

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Akela

Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do. This is probably a consequence of the unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems. To survive, carnivorous mammals must eat much more than carnivorous reptiles need to; thus carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

(A) Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do. Wrong. Australia hs MORE species of carnivorous reptile than do most other continents.
(B) In ecosystems in which there is relatively little food carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles. Wrong. This is too generalized. This garment is focused on Australia only.
(C) The unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems is probably the reason Australia has considerably fewer carnivorous mammal species than other continents do but about as many carnivorous reptile species. Correct.
This sentence contains the word "probably". The premise does not strictly say that sparseness of the ecosystem is definitely the reason. It says that it is "probably" the reason. And this option reflects tha perfectly.
(D) The reason that carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food is that they must eat much more in order to survive than carnivorous reptiles need to. This premise talks about Australia in general. Not "ecosystems" and the effects of spareness on its animal population.
(E) Because Australia’s ecosystems are unusually sparse, carnivorous mammals there are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles. The reason why C is right makes this option wrong.

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Jaishri

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fireflyejd1

Akela

Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do. This is probably a consequence of the unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems. To survive, carnivorous mammals must eat much more than carnivorous reptiles need to; thus carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

(A) Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do. Wrong. Australia hs MORE species of carnivorous reptile than do most other continents.
(B) In ecosystems in which there is relatively little food carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles. Wrong. This is too generalized. This garment is focused on Australia only.
(C) The unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems is probably the reason Australia has considerably fewer carnivorous mammal species than other continents do but about as many carnivorous reptile species. Correct.
This sentence contains the word "probably". The premise does not strictly say that sparseness of the ecosystem is definitely the reason. It says that it is "probably" the reason. And this option reflects tha perfectly.
(D) The reason that carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food is that they must eat much more in order to survive than carnivorous reptiles need to. This premise talks about Australia in general. Not "ecosystems" and the effects of spareness on its animal population.
(E) Because Australia’s ecosystems are unusually sparse, carnivorous mammals there are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles. The reason why C is right makes this option wrong.

But, the 1st line of the question is exact same line as mentioned in the option A, which says the number of species of carnivorus repltiles to be as many as in the other continent, then how can infer it have MORE species???

Parag030303

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(A) Australia has considerably fewer species of carnivorous mammals than any other continent does but about as many carnivorous reptile species as other continents do.

Eliminate: This is a factual statement mentioned in the argument, but it is not the conclusion. It's more of a premise.
(B) In ecosystems in which there is relatively little food, carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles.

Eliminate: This is a general statement that explains why carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage, but it doesn't tie the explanation specifically to Australia. It could be a supporting point, not the main conclusion.
(C) The unusual sparseness of Australia’s ecosystems is probably the reason Australia has considerably fewer carnivorous mammal species than other continents do but about as many carnivorous reptile species.

Keep: This option directly connects the sparseness of Australia's ecosystems with the specific difference in species between mammals and reptiles, making it the most comprehensive conclusion based on the argument.
(D) The reason that carnivorous mammals are at a disadvantage in ecosystems in which there is relatively little food is that they must eat much more in order to survive than carnivorous reptiles need to.

Eliminate: This is an explanation of why mammals are at a disadvantage, but it doesn't address the main conclusion about why Australia has fewer carnivorous mammal species.
(E) Because Australia’s ecosystems are unusually sparse, carnivorous mammals there are at a disadvantage relative to carnivorous reptiles.

Eliminate: While this is close, it’s more of a supporting point rather than the main conclusion. It doesn't fully explain the comparison with other continents.
Conclusion:
After eliminating the options that either restate premises or only partially address the argument, we are left with Option C. This option ties all the elements of the argument together, making it the correct answer.