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- Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:00 am
#24038
Complete Question Explanation
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
This Stimulus contains a dialogue between Harris and Vogel. Harris advocates changing international endangered-species regulations to include hybrid breeds such as the red wolf, which is a hybrid between the coyote and the gray wolf. Vogel concludes hybrids do not need protection because the species could be revived simply by interbreeding members of the species from which the hybrid descended.
The Question Stem indicates that this is an Assumption question type and it asks for the assumption upon which Vogel’s conclusion relies. The obvious assumption in Vogel’s argument is that the species from which hybrid descended would be available for interbreeding. If those species were not available, Vogel’s conclusion is null and void.
Answer Choice (A): This answer concerns the techniques currently being used to determine whether a species is a hybrid or not. This Answer Choice does not concern Vogel’s conclusion at all, and thus should be eliminated.
Answer Choice (B): This answer involves the successful enforcement of the international regulations that protect species and subspecies. So what? Just because there is successful enforcement does not mean that there are not species that will become endangered or become extinct.
Answer Choice (C): This answer states that the gray wolf has been successfully bred in captivity. Again, so what? It has nothing to do with Vogel’s conclusion, and therefore should be eliminated.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. This answer fits our pre-formed answer. Negating the Answer Choice gives us: “all hybrids are the descendants of species that are not currently extant.” This negated Answer Choice destroys Vogel’s conclusion that the hybrid species could be revived simply by interbreeding the members of the species from which the hybrid descended.
Answer Choice (E) is attractive initially because it discusses the coyote and red wolf. But it also states that they are not related genetically, which is a contradiction of what Harris says. It also it not related to Vogel’s conclusion so it should be eliminated. To verify this, apply the Assumption Negation technique: “the coyote and red wolf are related genetically.” This negated assumption has no effect on Vogel’s conclusion, thus confirming that it is not the correct answer.
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
This Stimulus contains a dialogue between Harris and Vogel. Harris advocates changing international endangered-species regulations to include hybrid breeds such as the red wolf, which is a hybrid between the coyote and the gray wolf. Vogel concludes hybrids do not need protection because the species could be revived simply by interbreeding members of the species from which the hybrid descended.
The Question Stem indicates that this is an Assumption question type and it asks for the assumption upon which Vogel’s conclusion relies. The obvious assumption in Vogel’s argument is that the species from which hybrid descended would be available for interbreeding. If those species were not available, Vogel’s conclusion is null and void.
Answer Choice (A): This answer concerns the techniques currently being used to determine whether a species is a hybrid or not. This Answer Choice does not concern Vogel’s conclusion at all, and thus should be eliminated.
Answer Choice (B): This answer involves the successful enforcement of the international regulations that protect species and subspecies. So what? Just because there is successful enforcement does not mean that there are not species that will become endangered or become extinct.
Answer Choice (C): This answer states that the gray wolf has been successfully bred in captivity. Again, so what? It has nothing to do with Vogel’s conclusion, and therefore should be eliminated.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. This answer fits our pre-formed answer. Negating the Answer Choice gives us: “all hybrids are the descendants of species that are not currently extant.” This negated Answer Choice destroys Vogel’s conclusion that the hybrid species could be revived simply by interbreeding the members of the species from which the hybrid descended.
Answer Choice (E) is attractive initially because it discusses the coyote and red wolf. But it also states that they are not related genetically, which is a contradiction of what Harris says. It also it not related to Vogel’s conclusion so it should be eliminated. To verify this, apply the Assumption Negation technique: “the coyote and red wolf are related genetically.” This negated assumption has no effect on Vogel’s conclusion, thus confirming that it is not the correct answer.
