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Difficulty: EasyArgument by Elimination

In an argument by elimination, competing hypotheses are systematically ruled out by specific premises until only one valid option remains. Match each proposed hypothesis for the sudden decline in a local bee population (left) with the specific evidence that logically eliminates it from consideration (right).

  • The bees were killed by a newly introduced pesticide.Chemical analysis of the soil, pollen, and dead bees revealed zero trace of synthetic toxins.
  • The hive was destroyed by a fungal infection.Laboratory autopsies of the bees found no spores or pathogenic mycelium in their digestive tracts.
  • The bees starved due to a lack of local flowering plants.Botanical surveys show the area has an unusually high abundance of blooming flora this season.
  • The population was decimated by predatory wasps.Careful observation of the hives showed no bite marks, defensive injuries, or invasive insect species.

Answer

Pesticide hypothesis pairs with the absence of synthetic toxins; Fungal infection pairs with the lack of spores; Starvation pairs with the abundance of blooming flora; Predatory wasps pairs with the absence of bite marks or invasive insects.
Each hypothesis is successfully eliminated by a piece of evidence that directly contradicts a necessary condition for that hypothesis to be true. Recognizing these connections is the foundational skill required to evaluate arguments by elimination.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pesticide hypothesis.
Match with the evidence regarding chemical analysis and synthetic toxins.
Pesticides are synthetic chemical toxins, so their complete absence directly eliminates this proposed cause.
2
Analyze the fungal infection hypothesis.
Match with the laboratory autopsies finding no spores.
Fungi spread and reproduce via spores and mycelium. The lack of this biological evidence rules out a fungal cause.
3
Analyze the starvation hypothesis.
Match with the botanical surveys showing abundant flora.
Bees rely on blooming flora for nectar and pollen. An abundance of food sources eliminates the possibility of starvation.
4
Analyze the predatory wasp hypothesis.
Match with the observation of no bite marks or invasive insects.
Predatory attacks would leave physical evidence on the hives and the bees. The absence of such damage rules out predators.

Key Concept

Argument by Elimination
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Argument by Elimination

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