#2 - Sea turtles nest only at their own birthplaces.

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Evaluate the Argument. The correct answer choice is (D)

Here we learn of sea turtles who return to their birthplaces to nest. Some have suggested that this is stimulated (or caused ) by their sense of smell. Since the stimulus is followed by an evaluate question we should look for the answer choice which presents some basis for analyzing this hypothesis.

Correct answer choice (D) deals with a vital issue; if they are outside the area where their sense of smell even could lead them back, this would show that the cause is not solely the sense of smell. If they are within the area of perceptible smell, this would weigh in favor of the cause-effect relationship hypothesized in the stimulus.

[PamelaO]

Hello, why wouldn't C be correct? Thank you.

[AthenaDalton]

Hi Pamela,

Answer choice (C) would not be helpful in evaluating the argument because it doesn't do anything to bolster the link between (1) smell and (2) turtles returning to their birthplace.

To evaluate whether an answer choice is correct in an "evaluate the hypothesis" sort of question, test the extremes and ask yourself if that would impact the argument. So the extremes for answer choice (C) are:

All beaches where sea turtles were hatched have been destroyed by development

No beaches where sea turtles were hatched have been destroyed by development

This doesn't do much to resolve the question of whether or not turtles use their sense of smell to guide them back to their birthplace.

By contrast, answer choice (D) gives us some better options by thinking about the extremes:

Before returning to nest, sea turtles are within the area where they can perceive the smell or their birthplace indicates that turtles are capable of smelling their nest

Before returning to nest, sea turtles are too far from their birthplace so they are incapable of perceiving the smell of their nest indicates that it would be impossible for turtles to rely on a sense of smell to guide them home

For answer choice (D), we can see that it does make a difference whether or not the turtles are close enough to home to rely on their sense of smell to guide themselves home.

I hope that helps clarify things for you. Good luck studying!

Athena