Question

Rabbits were introduced to Numa Island in the nineteenth century. Overgrazing by the enormous population of rabbits now menaces the island’s agriculture. The government proposes to reduce the population by using a virus that has caused devastating epidemics in rabbit populations elsewhere. There is, however, a chance that the virus will infect the bilby, an endangered native marsupial. The government’s plan, therefore, may serve the interests of agriculture but will clearly increase the threat to native wildlife.Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?A. There is less chance that the virus will infect domestic animals on Numa than that it will infect bilbies.B. There are no species of animals on the island that prey on the rabbits.C. Overgrazing by rabbits endangers many of the plants on which bilbies feed.D. The virus that the government proposes to use has been successfully used elsewhere to control populations of rabbits.E. There is no alternative means of reducing the rabbit population that would involve no threat to the bilby.

Answer 1

C. Overgrazing by rabbits endangers many of the plants on which bilbies feed

Step-by-step explanation:

• Rabbit overgrazing menaces the island’s agriculture.
• Plan: Reduce the rabbit population by using a virus.
• The virus might infect the endangered native marsupial bilby.
• Government’s plan: will serve the interests of agriculture.

will increase the threat to native wildlife.

Overgrazing by rabbits endangers many of the plants on which bilbies feed

The government could use this argument to introduce the virus. The statement is saying that the rabbits are competing with the endangered bilby species for food. Bilby is already being affected by the rabbit´s presence, and their survival is at serious risk because the rabbit is the strongest competitor.

Considering that rabbit is an invasive and competing species, the bilby is already affected. Their probabilities of survival are minimal. So, even in the absence of the virus, native wildlife is already being threatened.

If the virus is introduced to reduce the rabbit population, it might affect bilby as well, but the island´s agriculture will not be as affected as it is now.