#3 - The current sharp decline in commercial honeybee

[James Finch]

Hi JA,

It sounds like you brought in outside knowledge that limiting genetic diversity is bad, assuming that it alone can cause health problems. However, we don't know that; it is a new element brought into the conclusion that doesn't necessarily tie together with the premises that bee populations are more susceptible to the problems listed. Instead, that link is an implicit one, making it an assumption (specifically a supporter assumption) that we have to articulate as the correct answer choice. Here, it's simple to prephrase: inbreeding or limiting genetic diversity leads to greater susceptibility to the problems listed in the first sentence of the stimulus.

Answer choice (E) fits perfectly with that prephrase, and is the correct answer.

Hope this helps!

[nonowing]

Hi,

Is C also wrong because the stimulus says that the inbreeding practices have "limited" honeybees genetic diversity, not that it is declining? Negating C, it could be true that the genetic diversity has remained the same, which can still be "limited" compared to its potential (and, if the effects of low genetic diversity accumulate, then this could still explain why the population significantly decreased). "Limited" doesn't introduce any time trends, so I'm wondering if that helps prove C wrong.

[Dana D]

Hey nonowing,

You're spot on! Whether or not the genetic diversity is 'declining' versus if it is at a stable yet 'limited' status is not a necessary assumption of the argument. Good job!