GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  For five years, the amount of damage to trees... Start Learning for Free
For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials' action did not achieve its goal?
  • a)
    Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).
  • b)
    A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.
  • c)
    Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.
  • d)
    In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.
  • e)
    The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond ...
(A) Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).
This option suggests that younger black diamond owls cause less damage to trees compared to older owls. If this is true, the sprayed chemical that prevented reproduction may have primarily affected the population of younger owls, while the older owls that cause the most damage remained unaffected. As a result, the amount of damage to trees continued to increase significantly despite the reduced owl population.
(B) A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.
This option indicates that a portion of trees in the park is harvested for lumber and replanted annually. If this is the case, the damage caused by black diamond owls might be offset by the removal and replanting of trees. The newly replanted trees may be more susceptible to owl damage, leading to a continuous increase in damage despite the efforts to reduce the owl population.
(C) Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.
This option suggests that black diamond owls have a high reproductive rate compared to other birds. If this is true, the spraying of the chemical to prevent reproduction might not have been sufficient to significantly reduce the owl population. The owls may have continued to reproduce at a rapid rate, compensating for the reduction in numbers caused by the sprayed chemical.
(D) In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.
This option indicates that park officials used nets to capture black diamond owls in addition to spraying trees. If the nets were successful in capturing and removing some owls from the park, it would be expected to reduce the overall owl population and potentially curb the damage to trees. However, if the damage continued to increase significantly despite the use of nets, it suggests that the nets were not effective in capturing a significant number of owls, or the remaining owls were still causing substantial damage.
(E) The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.
This option suggests that the reduction in the owl population made the park a more attractive destination for vacationers. While this information might provide a reason for increased human activity in the park, it does not directly explain why the damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly. The increase in vacationers is not likely to directly contribute to owl damage, making this option less relevant to explaining the failure of the park officials' action.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Similar GMAT Doubts

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.According to the passage, Sommerer and Ott’s model differs from a riddled basin of attraction in which one of the following ways?

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.The discussion of the chaos of physical systems is intended to perform which one of the following functions in the passage?

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.Given the information in the passage, Sommerer and Ott are most likely to agree with which one of the following?

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

One of the foundations of scientific research is that an experimental result is credible only if it can be replicated—only if performing the experiment a second time leads to the same result. But physicists John Sommerer and Edward Ott have conceived of a physical system in which even the least change in the starting conditions—no matter how small, inadvertent, or undetectable—can alter results radically. The system is represented by a computer model of a mathematical equation describing the motion of a particle placed in a particular type of force field.Sommerer and Ott based their system on an analogy with the phenomena known as riddled basins of attraction. If two bodies of water bound a large landmass and water is spilled somewhere on the land, the water will eventually make its way to one or the other body of water, its destination depending on such factors as where the water is spilled and the geographic features that shape the water’s path and velocity. The basin of attraction for a body of water is the area of land that, whenever water is spilled on it, always directs the spilled water to that body.In some geographical formations it is sometimes impossible to predict, not only the exact destination of the spilled water, but even which body of water it will end up in. This is because the boundary between one basin of attraction and another is riddled with fractal properties; in other words, the boundary is permeated by an extraordinarily high number of physical irregularities such as notches or zigzags. Along such a boundary, the only way to determine where spilled water will flow at any given point is actually to spill it and observe its motion; spilling the water at any immediately adjacent point could give the water an entirely different path, velocity, or destination.In the system posited by the two physicists, this boundary expands to include the whole system: i.e., the entire force field is riddled with fractal properties, and it is impossible to predict even the general destination of the particle given its starting point. Sommerer and Ott make a distinction between this type of uncertainty and that known as “chaos”; under chaos, a particle’s general destination would be predictable but its path and exact destination would not.There are presumably other such systems because the equation the physicists used to construct the computer model was literally the first one they attempted, and the likelihood that they chose the only equation that would lead to an unstable system is small. If other such systems do exist, metaphorical examples of riddled basins of attraction may abound in the failed attempts of scientists to replicate previous experimental results—in which case, scientists would be forced to question one of the basic principles that guide their work.Which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s attitude toward the work of Sommerer and Ott?

Top Courses for GMAT

For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice For five years, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls in Redfern National Park rose by ten percent or more annually. In order to curb these worrisome increases, park officials sprayed trees with a chemical preventing the owls from reproducing. Even though the number of black diamond owls in the park decreased, the amount of damage to trees caused by black diamond owls continued to increase significantly for the next two years.Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the park officials action did not achieve its goal?a)Black diamond owls less than 3 years old do not cause as much damage to trees as do black diamond owls who are between the ages of 3 and 20 years (their average lifespan).b)A small percentage of trees in Redfern National Park are harvested for lumber and replanted each year.c)Black diamond owls are capable of reproducing at a rate greater than that of most other birds.d)In addition to spraying trees, park officials placed nets designed to capture black diamond owls.e)The smaller number of owls in Redfern National Park made the park a more desirable destination for vacationers.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev