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Difficulty: EasyAnalyzing Counterarguments and Opposing Viewpoints

Many conservationists argue that rewilding projects—introducing apex predators back into ecosystems where they were once eradicated—are essential for restoring ecological balance. By controlling herbivore populations, these predators prevent overgrazing, which in turn allows diverse plant and animal species to recover. However, some local ranchers and agricultural groups contend that rewilding poses an unacceptable threat to livestock and rural livelihoods, pointing to instances where predators preyed on cattle. While this concern is understandable, recent studies show that using non-lethal deterrents, such as guard animals and specialized fencing, can mitigate conflict and reduce livestock losses to near zero. Ultimately, the ecological benefits of rewilding far outweigh the manageable risks to local agriculture.

Based on the passage, what is the primary function of the author's inclusion of the ranchers' concern regarding livestock losses?

  1. A
    To argue that rewilding projects should be abandoned due to their negative impact on rural livelihoods.
  2. To acknowledge a significant objection to rewilding in order to show how that objection can be resolved.Answer
  3. C
    To explain that apex predators restore ecological balance by controlling herbivore populations.
  4. D
    To suggest that non-lethal deterrents are insufficient to protect livestock from reintroduced predators.

Answer

The correct answer is that the author includes this concern to acknowledge a significant objection to rewilding before explaining how it can be resolved.
The correct answer identifies that the author introduces the ranchers' perspective to acknowledge a legitimate counterargument, which is then neutralized by evidence showing that non-lethal deterrents can mitigate livestock loss. This approach strengthens the author's argument by directly addressing opposing concerns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the author's main thesis in the passage.
The author supports rewilding projects, arguing that their ecological benefits outweigh the manageable risks to agriculture.
Establishing the author's primary stance helps determine how other perspectives function in relation to it.
2
Locate the opposing viewpoint (counterargument) within the text.
Ranchers and agricultural groups argue that rewilding poses an unacceptable threat to livestock.
Identifying the counterargument allows us to analyze why the author chose to include it.
3
Analyze how the author responds to the counterargument.
The author calls the concern understandable but immediately demonstrates that non-lethal deterrents can reduce losses to near zero, thereby resolving the objection.
Understanding the transition from the counterargument to the rebuttal reveals its function: acknowledging an objection to show it can be resolved.

Key Concept

Analyzing Counterarguments and Opposing Viewpoints
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Analyzing Counterarguments and Opposing Viewpoints

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