Question

the basics of argument--practice quiz 4 (80% or higher)
look at the three items of support. then select the point that is logically supported by the support evidence.
support

• --a shrub brought into this country to stop soil from washing away eventually became a harmful weed that choked and killed countless other plants.
• --rabbits released in australia for hunting quickly multiplied and destroyed much of the countrys farmland.
• --caterpillars brought to the united states to start a silk industry broke free and destroyed large tracts of forest land.

which of the following conclusions is best supported by the evidence above?
○ a. plants are difficult to grow property.
○ b. great damage has been caused by bringing foreign plants and animals to new lands.
○ c. farmers should never use chemicals on their farms
○ d. there is no good way to stop soil from washing away.

Explanation:

• Option A: The support items are not about the difficulty of growing plants properly. They focus on the negative impacts of introduced species.
• Option B: The examples (shrub becoming a harmful weed, rabbits destroying farmland, caterpillars destroying forest land) all show that bringing foreign plants and animals (the shrub is a plant, rabbits and caterpillars are animals) to new lands (the country, Australia, the United States) has caused great damage (killing other plants, destroying farmland and forest land).
• Option C: There is no mention of chemicals used by farmers in the support evidence.
• Option D: The first support item was about a shrub brought in to stop soil from washing away (even though it had a negative side - effect later). But the overall theme of the support is about the damage from introduced species, not about the impossibility of stopping soil erosion.

Answer:

B. Great damage has been caused by bringing foreign plants and animals to new lands.