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#34822
Complete Question Explanation

Method of Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (D)

In this dialogue, Sarah discusses fishing permits, and the fact that commercial fishing vessels catch fish that are not included on their permits and must throw back the fish that they are not authorized to catch. Because the fish that get thrown back often do not survive, Sarah suggests that permits be altered to avoid waste and make the most of accidental catches.

Amar disagrees, asserting that if commercial fishing boats were allowed to keep their accidental catches, that would probably result in more “accidents.” Amar chose to put quotes around the term “accidents” suggesting that the increasing number of catches that would likely result would not really be accidental.

The stimulus is followed by a Method of Reasoning question that asks how Amar responds to Sarah. Amar’s response is to point out that if you let commercial fishing boats keep their accidental catches, that would provide a strong incentive to continue catching and profiting from fish that they are supposed to be barred from catching.

Answer choice (A): Amar does not question whether or not permits could ever allow fishing boats to keep their accidental catches; there is no discussion about whether or not the plan could be put into practice. Rather, Amar focuses on a likely detrimental outcome of her suggested approach.

Answer choice (B): Sarah doesn’t use a crucial term in two distinct ways. When she speaks, she is talking about accidental catches. It is Amar who uses “accidental” in a slightly different way. Since this choice does not describe Amar’s reaction to Sarah’s argument, it can be ruled out of contention.

Answer choice (C): Amar does not allude to any factor that would strengthen Sarah’s argument. Rather, Amar alludes to the fact that allowing fishing boats to keep their non-permitted catches would probably lead to an increase in non-permitted catches.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. Amar believes that if Sarah’s recommendation were followed, that would have the negative consequence of leading to increases in the number of fish caught in spite of being barred by permit.

Answer choice (E): Amar discusses no past policies, nor any important lessons associated with them, so this choice should be quickly ruled out of contention.

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