Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years

Question

Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years, primarily because of hunting. Alligators prey heavily on a species of freshwater fish that is highly valued as food by Parlanders, who had hoped that the decline in the alligator population would lead to an increase in the numbers of these fish available for human consumption. Yet the population of this fish species has also declined, even though the annual number caught for human consumption has not increased.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the decline in the population of the fish species?

(A) The decline in the alligator population has meant that fishers can work in some parts of lakes and rivers that were formerly too dangerous.

(B) Over the last few years, Parland’s commercial fishing enterprises have increased the number of fishing boats they use.

(C) The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey.

(D) Many Parlanders who hunt alligators do so because of the high market price of alligator skins, not because of the threat alligators pose to the fish population.

(E) In several neighboring countries through which Parland’s rivers also flow, alligators are at risk of extinction as a result of extensive hunting.

Similar question:  LINK 
Please do not merge; there are 2 different questions with the same setup text

Kurtosis · Accepted Answer

Alligator feed on fishes, which are consumed as food by Parlanders.
Alligator population is declining. 
But number of fishes have not increased. --> This is possible if the fishes are consumed by some other animal or some other factor is causing the fishes to die out.

A. The decline in the alligator population has meant that fishers can work in some parts of lakes and rivers that were formerly too dangerous. - Incorrect - Irrelevant

B. Over the last few years, Parland’s commercial fishing enterprises have increased the number of fishing boats they use. - Incorrect - If fishing boats are increased more fishes should be caught. This option doesn't help resolve the paradox.

C. The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey. - Correct - Because alligator population is declining, the predator which feed on the fishes has increased. Hence the number of fishes has remained the same.

D. Many Parlanders who hunt alligators do so because of the high market price of alligator skins, not because of the threat alligators pose to the fish population. - Incorrect - Irrelevant

E. In several neighboring countries through which Parland’s rivers also flow, alligators are at risk of extinction as a result of extensive hunting. - Incorrect - Doesn't help to resolve the paradox.

Answer: C

bapism07 · Answer

Hi

OE for the question set is incorrect as per OG-13th edition. It is 'C' not 'D'.

The reason for this, in my opinion, is that 
- fish (declining )
- predator (declining) 
- Human consumption is still. 
So, we need another rationale for the declining number of fish which is not related to the predator or human consumption. The option C gives the rationale: another species of fish, which consumes the prized freshwater fish. Hence it is correct.

POE of others options as follows -

A- fishers can work in some part of lake - irrelevant 
B- No of fishing boats increased - not necessary for the decline until they people on the boat catches the fish
D- Hunt alligators - do not show any correlation with the decline of fish. It may increase. Plus question tells to investigate the decline of the fish numbers not the decline of alligators 
E- alligators are at risk of extinction - question tells to investigate the decline of the fish numbers not the decline of alligators

HimanshuW11 · Answer

Argument Analysis:
 Case to be addressed:  Increase in the numbers of these fish available for human consumption, by hunting the alligators.
 Intended Input:  Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years, primarily because of hunting. Alligators prey heavily on a species of freshwater fish that is highly valued as food by Parlanders, who had hoped that the decline in the alligator population would lead to an increase in the numbers of these fish available for human consumption.

Unintended Outcome:  Yet the population of this fish species has also declined, even though the annual number caught for human consumption has not increased.

This is a resolve the paradox type question.

(A) The decline in the alligator population has meant that fishers can work in some parts of lakes and rivers that were formerly too dangerous.

(B) Over the last few years, Parland’s commercial fishing enterprises have increased the number of fishing boats they use.

(C) The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey.

(D) Many Parlanders who hunt alligators do so because of the high market price of alligator skins, not because of the threat alligators pose to the fish population.

(E) In several neighboring countries through which Parland’s rivers also flow, alligators are at risk of extinction as a result of extensive hunting.

CEdward · Answer

Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years, primarily because of hunting. Alligators prey heavily on a species of freshwater fish that is highly valued as food by Parlanders, who had hoped that the decline in the alligator population would lead to an increase in the numbers of these fish available for human consumption. Yet the population of this fish species has also declined, even though the annual number caught for human consumption has not increased.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the decline in the population of the fish species?

(A) The decline in the alligator population has meant that fishers can work in some parts of lakes and rivers that were formerly too dangerous. X
-Knowing that declines in alligator population made the lakes more SAFE does not explain why the fish species declined

(B) Over the last few years, Parland’s commercial fishing enterprises have increased the number of fishing boats they use. 
-Tempting this could suggest that more fish were being caught but we know from the passage that the annual number caught for consumption has not risen

(C) The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey. X
-Correct – Since the alligator population is not declining, this other fish species which prays on the freshwater fish are more prevalent…which spells trouble for the freshwater fish

(D) Many Parlanders who hunt alligators do so because of the high market price of alligator skins, not because of the threat alligators pose to the fish population. X
-we don’t care about WHY Parlanders hunt alligators

(E) In several neighboring countries through which Parland’s rivers also flow, alligators are at risk of extinction as a result of extensive hunting.
-beyond the scope of the passage

errorlogger · Answer

Knowing that declines in alligator population made the lakes more SAFE could explain why the fish species have declined only if the passage hadn't mentioned that  The annual number caught for consumption has not risen . 
Why?
Earlier the fishers couldn't fish from places crowded with alligators. Now that the area is alligator free, they could fish from there as well. Ultimately, causing the fish population to decline.

ashmit99 · Answer

A is incorrect because even if it gets easier to fish, we know that the number of fish caught hasn't increased.

kri1311 · Answer

This question has also appeared in OG 2020. Can someone add the tag?

Bunuel · Answer

_________________________
Added the tag. Thank you.

ArnauG · Answer

The argument states that despite the decline in the alligator population, the population of a freshwater fish species, which is preyed upon by alligators, has also declined. We need to find an answer choice that helps explain the decline in the fish population. Let's evaluate the options:

(A) The decline in the alligator population has meant that fishers can work in some parts of lakes and rivers that were formerly too dangerous.
This statement suggests that fishers now have access to areas that were previously unsafe due to the presence of alligators. It does not explain the decline in the fish population, so it is not the most helpful explanation.

(B) Over the last few years, Parland’s commercial fishing enterprises have increased the number of fishing boats they use.
This statement suggests an increase in fishing activity by commercial enterprises. However, it does not specifically explain the decline in the fish population, so it is not the most helpful explanation.

(C) The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey.
This statement provides a potential explanation for the decline in the fish population. If another species of fish, on which both alligators and the target fish species prey, is also declining, it could contribute to the decline in the target fish population. This is the most helpful explanation so far.

(D) Many Parlanders who hunt alligators do so because of the high market price of alligator skins, not because of the threat alligators pose to the fish population.
This statement provides information about the motivations of alligator hunters but does not directly explain the decline in the fish population. It is not the most helpful explanation.

(E) In several neighboring countries through which Parland’s rivers also flow, alligators are at risk of extinction as a result of extensive hunting.
This statement provides information about the hunting of alligators in neighboring countries but does not directly explain the decline in the fish population within Parland. It is not the most helpful explanation.

Based on the analysis, the statement that most helps to explain the decline in the population of the fish species is (C) The main predator of these fish is another species of fish on which alligators also prey. This suggests that the decline in the fish population may be influenced by the predation of both alligators and another species of fish, which contributes to their decline.

MS61 · Answer

I marked B as answer assuming the increase in number of boats could be the reason for turbulence in marine life: Kill fishes in water

rjmohan72 · Answer

Maurya,

The number of fishing boat has increase but the fishes caught remained the same. So the increase in ship decreased the number of trips per ship and the net turbulence/pollution (based on asumption) remained same.

djangobackend · Answer

C explains well that Alligator has declined so other predator fish has increased which also prey on freshwater fish. so FF is declined as well YET overall fish cash has not increased this will only happen if the predator fish number is increased and is balancing the decline of FF.

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Parland’s alligator population has been declining in recent years

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards