The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spu

Question

Competition Mode Question

The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spun by the other species of spiders that share the same habitat. Stickler webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them. Spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs therefore. It can be concluded that the painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects.

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky.

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously.

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs.

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat.

thenikhilseth · Answer

I choose  D

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects-  Incorrect 
 
Although all the species of insects are not the flying insect, but it is not given that how many species can fly or not. It is possible that only 10 out of 100 species cannot fly. But in either case, we cannot do any comparison between painted spiders and their competitors.

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky-  Incorrect

It strengthens the argument.

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously-  Incorrect

No comparison is given.

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs.-  Correct

This weakens the argument because if stickier webs are more visible to insects, then obviously there will be less chances that these insects will go closer to the webs and hence, cannot get trapped in it.

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat.-  Incorrect

No information about the size of web is given in the argument.

exc4libur · Answer

ARGUMENT
  painted spiders are more successful predators because their webs are stickier;
  stickier webs catch more insects that fly into them;
  stickier webs are more visible than other webs.

WEAKEN
 Ans (D) if stickier webs are more visible, then the probability that less insects fly into them is greater!

shameekv1989 · Answer

Premises :-
Painted spiders webs are stickier than webs of other spider species. 
Webs are used to trap insects.
Stickier webs do a better job than the non sticky ones

Conclusion :-
Hence Painted spider is more successful in trapping insects

Whether they do or not does not contribute to the conclusion

Only 2 types of insects do not get trapped can not weaken the argument. There may be other insects that can get trapped in large numbers

Strengthens the argument if anything

Correct. If insects see the stickier webs because of reflection then they may not pass from there and thus will not get trapped

Larger or shorter - how that affects in trapping the insects is not mentioned in the argument

Answer - D

unraveled · Answer

The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spun by the other species of spiders that share the same habitat. Stickler webs are more efficient at trapping insects that fly into them. Spiders prey on insects by trapping them in their webs therefore. It can be concluded that the painted spider is a more successful predator than its competitors.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky. - WRONG. Strengthener.

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously. - WRONG. It suggests that the painted spider is more successful but for not the reasons pertaining to its web.

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs. - CORRECT. Reflection acts as a deterrent, at least indirectly, for insects to not come near to stickier web.

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat. - WRONG. Irrelevant.

IMO Answer D.

NiftyNiffler · Answer

Conclusion: Painted spiders are better predators than other spiders. We have to weaken this.

(A) Not all of the species of insects living in the painted spider’s habitat are flying insects. - As long as some species of insects are flying insects and painted spider's trapping record is good, it won't weaken the conclusion

(B) Butterflies and moths which can shed scales are especially unlikely to be trapped by spider webs that are not very sticky. -- We are not told whether Butterflies and moths are preys of spider. Out-of-scope/irrelevant info

(C) Although the painted spider’s venom does not kill insects quickly, it paralyzes them almost instantaneously. -- extraneous info. Has no bearing with conclusion

(D) Stickier webs reflect more light and so are more visible to insects than are less-sticky webs. -- This weakens the conclusion by saying that even though the webs are stickier, they reflect more hence negating the efficiency of stickier webs. Keep it

(E) The webs spun by the painted spider are no larger than the webs spun by the other species of spiders in the same habitat. -- This is not a web area measuring competition

. Strengthener

globaldesi · Answer

Option D gives a point to weaken the statement that although the webs are sticky they are highly reflective and can be seen , thus making it easier for insects to avoid. Thus painted spider will not be a more successful spider

VerbalBot · Answer

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The painted spider spins webs that are much stickier than the webs spu

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