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Difficulty: HardAnalyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles

Conservationists have proposed introducing a controlled population of apex predators to a coastal nature reserve to curb the overabundance of herbivores. Critics of the initiative contend that the immediate predation will significantly reduce the populations of several endangered prey species in the reserve. However, ecological models indicate that without apex predators, hyper-herbivory will degrade the vegetative canopy completely, destroying the nesting habitat for those exact prey species within five years. Therefore, implementing the predator introduction program is essential for the long-term survival of the reserve's endangered fauna.

In the argument given, what are the respective roles played by the two boldfaced portions?

  1. The first is a claim cited by critics to challenge a proposed course of action; the second is the main conclusion of the argument, which advocates taking that course of action.Answer
  2. B
    The first is the main conclusion of the argument; the second is an intermediate judgment offered to support that conclusion.
  3. C
    The first is a premise offered by the author to justify a recommendation; the second is a counter-claim that the argument sets out to refute.
  4. D
    The first is a finding accepted by the author as evidence; the second is a concession that limits the scope of the author's overall claim.
  5. E
    The first is an unstated assumption required by the critics' argument; the second is an empirical observation that refutes that assumption.

Answer

The first boldfaced statement is a claim cited by critics to challenge a proposed course of action, while the second boldfaced statement is the main conclusion of the argument advocating for that course of action.
The correct option accurately captures the structural relationship in the argument: the first boldfaced portion presents the counterargument raised by critics against predator introduction, whereas the second boldfaced portion represents the author's primary conclusion that predator introduction should proceed despite those concerns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the author's position and main conclusion in the passage.
The author supports the predator introduction program, concluding in the final sentence that implementing it is essential.
Structural indicator 'Therefore' combined with the normative claim in the second boldfaced statement marks it as the main conclusion.
2
Analyze the function of the first boldfaced portion.
The first boldface expresses the objection raised by critics ('Critics of the initiative contend that...').
It represents an argument against the conservation proposal that the author subsequently counters using ecological model data.
3
Match the functional roles of both boldfaced portions to the option choices.
The first is an opposing claim cited by critics, and the second is the main conclusion supported by the author.
This accurately reflects the structural dynamics of the passage without reversing roles or misattributing authorship of claims.

Key Concept

Analyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Analyzing Argument Structure and Boldface Roles

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