The red tramfish is an extremely rare species of fish that can be foun...
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
The question stem asks us to support the idea that the fear of the locals may not be misplaced. In other words, we are to support the belief that the locals may be right in fearing that the species will soon be extinct.
Pre-Thinking Approach
To strengthen the conclusion, let’s look at the logical structure, focusing on linkages 1 and 2. We will try to come up with an assumption by understanding the condition under which the conclusion is falsified. The assumption then will be that condition does not exist and the conclusion can be strengthened by supporting this or any other assumption.
Linkage#1 & 2 – RT is a rare species and there is a sudden interest in it.
- Falsification Condition: Yes, RT could be caught extensively to produce the oil. But what if the rate at which it reproduces is significantly higher than the rate at which it will be caught. If this were true, then the conclusion will be falsified. Accordingly, a strengthener could say that:
- Instance: The rate at which RT reproduces is not higher than the rate at which it is being currently caught.
In the above scenario, the fear of the locals seem valid as surely if fishing RT at the above rate carries on then it is possible that the species may go extinct.
Linkage # 1 - RT is a rare species that can be found only in some of the lake shores of the Silver Lakes region.
- Strengthener : The fact that RT is a rare species and is naturally found only in a particular lake supports the locals’ fear. However, what if RT can be successfully bred in captivity? It could then be argued that their fear is not valid. Therefore, a possible strengthener could be to rule out this possibility.
- Instance: All attempts to breed RT in captivity have been unsuccessful so far and there is no breakthrough technology in sight that provides hope in the matter.
With this understanding in mind, let's take a look at the option statements.
Answer Choices
It may not be possible to selectively catch red tramfish.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
A
This option does not impact the conclusion in anyway as we do not know that whether people who have a sudden interest in RT will be interested in catching only RT or may prefer getting hold of other fish alongwith it.
B
The cost of extracting oil from the bones of the red tramfish is higher than the cost of artificially developing the same oil.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
Neither the choice nor the passage gives us any information to establish whether the cost of extracting oil is going to be a factor for the people interested in catching RT. Hence, the information here is completely irrelevant.
C
The oil extracted from the bones of a single red tramfish is sufficient to produce more than four weeks of medication for an arthritis patient.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
As we don’t know how the quantity of oil obtained from a red tramfish relates to its probability of going extinct, this option is not relevant.
D
At the levels at which the red tramfish is now being caught, the rate of reproduction of the fish is less than the rate of fishing.
Correct
This choice is written along the lines of our pre-thinking per Linkage #1 & 2.
E
The proportion of population that is most affected by arthritis is expected to stay the same in the near future.
Incorrect - Irrelevant
We cannot determine what impact the information given in this choice would have on the conclusion drawn by the locals. It doesn’t tell us whether the absolute number of people most affected by arthritis is expected to go up or not.