Wolves generally avoid human settlements. For this reason, domestic sheep, though essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them. In Hylantia prior to 1910, farmers nevertheless lost considerable numbers of sheep to wolves each year. Attributing this to the large number for wolves, in 1910 the government began offering rewards to hunters for killing wolves. From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were killed. Yet wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increase in wolf attacks on sheep?
(A) Populations of deer and other wild animals that wolves typically prey on increased significantly in numbers from 1910 to 1915.
(B) Prior to 1910, there were no legal restrictions in Hylantia on the hunting of wolves.
(C) After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby greatly diminishing these wolves' ability to prey on wild animals.
(D) Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend themselves against wolf attacks.
(E) The systematic hunting of wolves encouraged by the program drove many wolves in Hylantia to migrate to remote mountain areas uninhabited by humans.
The argument says-
1) In Hylantia prior to 1910, farmers lost considerable numbers of sheep to wolves each year.
2) Because of this, in 1910, the government began offering rewards to hunters for killing wolves.
3) From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were killed.
YET,
wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.
How? Why? - The answer to this will resolve the paradox that we have in the argument.
Option A- Populations of deer and other wild animals that wolves typically prey on increased significantly in numbers from 1910 to 1915. - The conclusion talks about the wolf attacks on sheep, not deer and other wild animals- eliminate option A
Option B- Prior to 1910, there were no legal restrictions in Hylantia on the hunting of wolves. - This doesn’t resolve the paradox that we have - Eliminate option B
Option C- After 1910, hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby greatly diminishing these wolves' ability to prey on wild animals. - This tells us why the wolf attacks on sheep increased after 1915.
Because the wolves were wounded from the attacks of hunters after 1910, the wolves’ ability to attack and prey on wild animals diminished. As a result, the wolf attacks on sheep increased. This resolves the paradox present in the argument.
Option D- Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend themselves against wolf attacks- This does not explain the increase in wolf attacks on sheep. Eliminate option D
Option E- The systematic hunting of wolves encouraged by the program drove many wolves in Hylantia to migrate to remote mountain areas uninhabited by humans. - If wolves in Hylantia migrated to remote mountain areas, it should have led to a decrease and not increase in wolf attacks on sheep- eliminate option E