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- Tue May 17, 2016 10:39 am
#24959
Complete Question Explanation
Must Be True—SN. The correct answer choice is (C)
In this stimulus, we learn about the population patterns of the Florida panther. As we begin to delve into the stimulus, we realize it lacks a clear conclusion and is just a fact set. In Must Be True questions we can focus our analysis on the inferences possible based on the facts given, and then use those prephrases to find the correct answer. Looking at the facts in this stimulus, we see that we must start by confronting some numbers. While some may be overwhelmed by the mere presence of numbers, this stimulus is a great example of why it often pays to give every question a fair chance. We know that there are currently a fixed number of Florida panthers (70-100), and that the population is larger than it was in the past. However, we also know that in order to be self-sustaining the population must reach at least 250. Additionally, the current living space cannot support any more panthers. Since the panther population would need to grow by at least 150 in order to be self-sustaining, we can infer that the panthers cannot be self-sustaining in their current location.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice tempts students who wonder why the current habitat cannot support more panthers. As a Must Be True question though, we are confined to the facts given in the stimulus. If an answer choice tries to go outside the facts given, we can automatically eliminate it. This answer discusses the qualities of the habitat. Since the stimulus did not provide any information about the habitat other than the size, this answer is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice addresses some conditional reasoning found in the stimulus. We can see the sufficient indicator “if” present in second sentence. The “if” modifies self-sufficient, making a population of at least 250 the necessary condition. We could diagram this as follows:
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed above in answer choice (B), this stimulus contains conditional reasoning. The conditional reasoning tells us that if the panthers are to be self-sufficient, they must have a population of at least 250. We know their current habitat is not large enough to support a population of 250; therefore it cannot support a self-sufficient panther population. If the panthers want to grow to self-sustaining levels, they must live in a larger space. Therefore, answer choice (C) must be true.
Answer choice (D): As in answer choice (A), this answer choice is incorrect because it requires assuming information outside the stimulus. This answer asks us to draw a conclusion about the future population levels of panthers. The stimulus does not provide enough information to say if the panther population will ever increase anywhere. It states that the panther population cannot both increase and remain in the same location.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice wants us to make a small logical leap from information given in the stimulus. We know that in order to increase further in population the panthers’ living space must expand, so it does not seem unlikely that they had to increase their habitat size to grow from the 1970s. The question asks us to find what Must Be True, not what is likely to be true. Since we do not know from the facts given what caused the population increase between the 1970s and the present, this answer choice is incorrect.
Must Be True—SN. The correct answer choice is (C)
In this stimulus, we learn about the population patterns of the Florida panther. As we begin to delve into the stimulus, we realize it lacks a clear conclusion and is just a fact set. In Must Be True questions we can focus our analysis on the inferences possible based on the facts given, and then use those prephrases to find the correct answer. Looking at the facts in this stimulus, we see that we must start by confronting some numbers. While some may be overwhelmed by the mere presence of numbers, this stimulus is a great example of why it often pays to give every question a fair chance. We know that there are currently a fixed number of Florida panthers (70-100), and that the population is larger than it was in the past. However, we also know that in order to be self-sustaining the population must reach at least 250. Additionally, the current living space cannot support any more panthers. Since the panther population would need to grow by at least 150 in order to be self-sustaining, we can infer that the panthers cannot be self-sustaining in their current location.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice tempts students who wonder why the current habitat cannot support more panthers. As a Must Be True question though, we are confined to the facts given in the stimulus. If an answer choice tries to go outside the facts given, we can automatically eliminate it. This answer discusses the qualities of the habitat. Since the stimulus did not provide any information about the habitat other than the size, this answer is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice addresses some conditional reasoning found in the stimulus. We can see the sufficient indicator “if” present in second sentence. The “if” modifies self-sufficient, making a population of at least 250 the necessary condition. We could diagram this as follows:
- self-sufficient
population of at least 250.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. As discussed above in answer choice (B), this stimulus contains conditional reasoning. The conditional reasoning tells us that if the panthers are to be self-sufficient, they must have a population of at least 250. We know their current habitat is not large enough to support a population of 250; therefore it cannot support a self-sufficient panther population. If the panthers want to grow to self-sustaining levels, they must live in a larger space. Therefore, answer choice (C) must be true.
Answer choice (D): As in answer choice (A), this answer choice is incorrect because it requires assuming information outside the stimulus. This answer asks us to draw a conclusion about the future population levels of panthers. The stimulus does not provide enough information to say if the panther population will ever increase anywhere. It states that the panther population cannot both increase and remain in the same location.
Answer choice (E): This answer choice wants us to make a small logical leap from information given in the stimulus. We know that in order to increase further in population the panthers’ living space must expand, so it does not seem unlikely that they had to increase their habitat size to grow from the 1970s. The question asks us to find what Must Be True, not what is likely to be true. Since we do not know from the facts given what caused the population increase between the 1970s and the present, this answer choice is incorrect.