Between 2000 and 2010, the number of bass in the Mississippi River and

Question

Between 2000 and 2010, the number of bass in the Mississippi River and its tributaries experienced a catastrophic decline. There is little evidence that pollution or disease was the cause, so it is likely that there was an increase in the number of bass killed by other means. Typically, recreational fishermen in the region prefer to pursue several varieties of river trout, but a state law passed in 2001 banned the catching of trout in the area. Thus, it is likely that recreational fishing was the immediate cause of the decline of the bass population.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A. The number of Over crayfish, one of the primary sources of nutrition for bass, has quadrupled since the bass population collapsed.

B. Bass prey upon trout and compete for many of the same food sources.

C. The most significant concentrations of remaining bass are in areas of the river where fishing is prohibited.

D. Recreational fishing is less popular now than it was in 2000.

E. Recreational fishing has caused a decline in the populations of several species of fish in other habitats.

This is a  CR Butler Question

Data Sufficiency Butler  
  Problem Solving Butler  
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  Reading Comprehension Butler  
  Integrated Reasoning Butler

Legenddary1234 · Answer

The argument is that the decline in the bass population was likely due to recreational fishing, as the law banning trout fishing led to an increase in bass fishing. To strengthen this argument, we need to find evidence that supports this causal link.

A. This option does not provide any direct evidence to support the argument that recreational fishing caused the decline in the bass population. The increase in the number of crayfish could be due to other factors and does not necessarily imply that recreational fishing caused the decline in bass.

B. This option provides a link between bass and trout, suggesting that they compete for the same food sources. However, it does not directly support the argument that recreational fishing caused the decline in the bass population.

C. This option directly supports the argument by stating that the most significant concentrations of remaining bass are in areas where fishing is prohibited. This suggests that recreational fishing may have contributed to the decline in the bass population.

D. This option weakens the argument by suggesting that recreational fishing is less popular now than it was in 2000. If recreational fishing is less popular, it is less likely to have caused the decline in the bass population.

E. This option provides evidence that recreational fishing has caused declines in other fish populations. However, it does not directly support the argument that recreational fishing caused the decline in the bass population.

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The argument here is basically that recreational fishing caused the bass population to decline, because, presumably, after fishers were prohibited to catch trout, they began to catch bass. We're asked to choose the information that strengthens this argument.

Choice (A) introduces an irrelevant detail about the crayfish population that doesn't relate to the connection between fishing laws and bass population.

Choice (B) describes the feeding habits of bass; this is not relevant to how fishing laws affected the bass population.

Choice (C) clearly relates to the issue here. If bass have nearly vanished in areas where fishing is allowed, and remain in significant concentrations in areas where fishing is prohibited, it looks like the fishing laws might indeed have had something to do with their overall decline.

Choice (D) mentions the year 2000, which is unhelpful because we aren't given any information in the passage about that year.

Choice(E) does not do as much to strengthen the argument as (C) because it talks about other types of fish in other habitats, which is not that relevant.

The correct answer is choice C

VerbalBot · Answer

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Between 2000 and 2010, the number of bass in the Mississippi River and

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Between 2000 and 2010, the number of bass in the Mississippi River and

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