- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8948
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Mon May 15, 2017 1:38 pm
#34863
Complete Question Explanation
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author of this stimulus presents a basic Fact Set regarding forest fragmentation, the breaking
down of forests into small patches through the process of development. Under such conditions, some
animals thrive, creating denser populations in small patches of forest. Among these animals are
white-footed mice, which can transmit a debilitating malady called Lyme disease, via deer ticks, to
humans.
The stimulus is followed by a Must Be True question, so the correct answer choice will be the one
that can be verified by the information provided in the stimulus.
Answer choice (A): The author says that white-footed mice thrive in conditions of forest
fragmentation, but the stimulus provides no information regarding how commonly white-footed
mice are found in unfragmented forests; it possible that they are very common, in relatively lower
densities, in unfragmented forests. Since this choice fails the Fact Test, it cannot be the right answer
to this Must Be True question.
Answer choice (B): The author provides only that some animals thrive under conditions of forest
fragmentation. Since no information is provided about what portion of species thrive under such
conditions, this choice cannot be confirmed and thus cannot be the correct answer choice.
Answer choice (C): While some species thrive and reach greater population density under conditions
of forest fragmentation, that does not necessarily mean that the process of fragmentation reduces
the number and variety of species. Since there is no way to confirm this answer choice based on the
information from the stimulus, it should be eliminated from contention.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. The stimulus provides that forest
fragmentation fosters an environment under which white-footed mice thrive. Since white-footed
mice can transmit debilitating Lyme disease to humans, efforts to stop the process of forest
fragmentation can have a beneficial effect on human health.
Answer choice (E): The author provides no information regarding the relative density of deer tick
populations in various forest conditions, so this choice fails the Fact Test and thus cannot be the right
answer to this Must Be True question.
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author of this stimulus presents a basic Fact Set regarding forest fragmentation, the breaking
down of forests into small patches through the process of development. Under such conditions, some
animals thrive, creating denser populations in small patches of forest. Among these animals are
white-footed mice, which can transmit a debilitating malady called Lyme disease, via deer ticks, to
humans.
The stimulus is followed by a Must Be True question, so the correct answer choice will be the one
that can be verified by the information provided in the stimulus.
Answer choice (A): The author says that white-footed mice thrive in conditions of forest
fragmentation, but the stimulus provides no information regarding how commonly white-footed
mice are found in unfragmented forests; it possible that they are very common, in relatively lower
densities, in unfragmented forests. Since this choice fails the Fact Test, it cannot be the right answer
to this Must Be True question.
Answer choice (B): The author provides only that some animals thrive under conditions of forest
fragmentation. Since no information is provided about what portion of species thrive under such
conditions, this choice cannot be confirmed and thus cannot be the correct answer choice.
Answer choice (C): While some species thrive and reach greater population density under conditions
of forest fragmentation, that does not necessarily mean that the process of fragmentation reduces
the number and variety of species. Since there is no way to confirm this answer choice based on the
information from the stimulus, it should be eliminated from contention.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. The stimulus provides that forest
fragmentation fosters an environment under which white-footed mice thrive. Since white-footed
mice can transmit debilitating Lyme disease to humans, efforts to stop the process of forest
fragmentation can have a beneficial effect on human health.
Answer choice (E): The author provides no information regarding the relative density of deer tick
populations in various forest conditions, so this choice fails the Fact Test and thus cannot be the right
answer to this Must Be True question.