Question

In the last few years, a drastic spike in sea temperatures around Prudhoe Bay has caused the eggs of snow crabs to hatch earlier in the year than they had previously. As a result, baby snow crabs are more likely to be caught by deep sea fishing boats, since deep sea fishing boats are more numerous in Arctic waters during the fall season than they are during the winter season.Which of the following pieces of information is necessary to evaluate the argument?A) The total number of snow crabs that hatch versus the total number that had hatched before the increase in temperatureB) The time of year the deep sea fishing boats arrive to the waters around Prudhoe BayC) The month in which the boats leave, and the month in which the snow crabs eggs hatchD) The amount of area the fisherman’s nets can cover in one dayE) The amount of time the deep sea fishing boats spend in water directly above where the snow crabs are likely to hatch

Answer 1

Answer:

C) The month in which the boats leave, and the month in which the snow crabs eggs hatch.

Explanation:

In order to be able to judge whether this is a good argument or not, it is absolutely necessary to establish the month in which the boat leave, and the month in which the snow crabs eggs hatch. Based on the argument, we learn that the snow crabs eggs hatch earlier than they did previously. However, this is not specific enough for us to reach a conclusion. Moreover, we do not know the exact time of year in which the boats leave. Without this information, we cannot establish whether the boats are a danger to the crabs or not.