Attempts to control purple loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) have

Question

Attempts to control purple loosestrife ( Lythrum Salicaria ) have been only partially successful. It has proved resistant to many herbicides, and it is impervious to burning, as its rootstock lies beneath the surface and can reproduce from there. It can be mowed down and plowed under, and then replaced with a less invasive plant. This is very labor intensive in marshy areas that are substantially overgrown, but it may be the only way of eliminating the pest.

Which of the following information, if true, would provide the least support for the author's argument?

(A)  Lythrum Salicaria  has been removed from some gardens through the careful use of an Australian slug.

(B) Replanted meadows where purple loosestrife once grew are slowly being taken over by a new, hardier strain of  Lythrum Salicaria .

(C) Cattails are coming back to some some New York swampland once devastated by the incursion of  Lythrum Salicaria .

(D) Chopping up the rootstock of  Lythrum Salicaria  with a plow adds an unexpected bonus in the form of nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

(E) Mowing and replanting  Lythrum Salicaria  cost small communities along the Missouri River nearly $1 million last year.

NeoNguyen1989 · Answer

IMO A. The author must fail to consider other possibilities when he conclude that the only way to eliminate the pest is to plow under. A provides another possibility to remove the pest which is the Australian slug.

vector01 · Answer

I believe A is the answer. The author argues that mowing down and plowing under the purple loosestrife may be the only way of eliminating the pest. Option A gives a specific possible alternative of doing so.

Attempts to control purple loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) have been only partially successful. It has proved resistant to many herbicides, and it is impervious to burning, as its rootstock lies beneath the surface and can reproduce from there. It can be mowed down and plowed under, and then replaced with a less invasive plant. This is very labor intensive in marshy areas that are substantially overgrown, but it may be the only way of eliminating the pest.

Which of the following information, if true, would provide the least support for the author's argument?

(A) Lythrum Salicaria has been removed from some gardens through the careful use of an Australian slug.

(B) Replanted meadows where purple loosestrife once grew are slowly being taken over by a new, hardier strain of Lythrum Salicaria.

(C) Cattails are coming back to some some New York swampland once devastated by the incursion of Lythrum Salicaria.

(D) Chopping up the rootstock of Lythrum Salicaria with a plow adds an unexpected bonus in the form of nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

(E) Mowing and replanting Lythrum Salicaria cost small communities along the Missouri River nearly $1 million last year.

Hovkial · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION: 
 
(McGraw-Hill)

Your choice must weaken the argument that purple loosestrife is best eradicated by digging it up, plowing it under, and reseeding. Choice (A) suggests another means of eradication but does not weaken the original argument. Choices (C) and (D) do not weaken or strengthen the argument, although both may suggest benefits of the eradication plan. Choice (E) shows the expense of such a plan, which is negative but not the best answer. Only choice (B) throws a monkey wrench in the works: If a new strain of purple loosestrife is growing up where it was once eliminated, then this form of eradication does not really work.

YashYashkratos · Answer

A) wrong - don't know how the slugs do it maybe similar to plowing and mowing or just not as efficient.

B) correct - says replanted ones are getting even more invasive versions of the pest.

C) wrong - how it supports or weakens the conclusions is not known.
D) wrong - probably strengthens the argument 
E) wrong - cost and expenses are not discussed and even if it were a factor we don't know if it is a lot.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Attempts to control purple loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) have

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