Recently, ornithologist surveying the bird population of the

Question

Recently, ornithologist surveying the bird population of the remote forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula reported sighting a Banded Nuthatch. Most ornithologists consider the Banded Nuthatch to have become extinct in the 19th century, since the last verified sighting of a Banded Nuthatch was in 1895. It is therefore most reasonable to conclude that the ornithologists who claimed to have spotted the Banded Nuthatch recently were mistaken. Which of the following statements, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

A) Although experienced, the ornithologists participating in the survey had never before visited the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula
B) The Banded Nuthatch was always a rare bird, and the last verified sighting prior to 1895 was in 1815
C) It is rare that a species thought to be extinct is found to be still in existence
D) The Lesser Nuthatch, a bird known to be widespread in the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula, is very similar to the Banded Nuthatch in appearance
E) The ornithologists surveying the birds of the Kamchatka Peninsula are among the most respected and highly regarded in their field

HongHu · Answer

All the choices other than B actually strengthens the conclusion.

anandnk · Answer

The basis of conclusion is   the last verified sighting of a Banded Nuthatch was in 1895 

Choice (B) directly refutes it by giving two sightings that were also rare and had uge timegap.

qhoc0010 · Answer

OA is (B)
How do you refute (C)?

banerjeea_98 · Answer

C strengthens the argument, if this is true then it increases the possibility that the scientist were mistaken

qhoc0010 · Answer

oh, darn. I misread the part "It is rare that..." which means "less likely..." Got it now!! :oops:

ywilfred · Answer

A) Although experienced, the ornithologists participating in the survey had never before visited the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula
- not important. it does not suggests the ornithologist made a mistake.

B) The Banded Nuthatch was always a rare bird, and the last verified sighting prior to 1895 was in 1815 
- this statement weakens the argument. It's always rare and the last time it was sighted in 1895 (when it is assumed to be extinct since then) was 80 years back in 1815 ! So the argument that the ornithologist made a mistake is flawed.

C) It is rare that a species thought to be extinct is found to be still in existence 
- does not weaken the argument.

D) The Lesser Nuthatch, a bird known to be widespread in the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula, is very similar to the Banded Nuthatch in appearance 
- This strengthens the argument.

E) The ornithologists surveying the birds of the Kamchatka Peninsula are among the most respected and highly regarded in their field
- not important. Respected and highly regarded does not mean that are always right.

I'll go with (B)

nocilis · Answer

I go with B - It is quite rare to site the bird. The fact that the scientist haven't sited does not mean it is extinct.

Recently, ornithologist surveying the bird population of the

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