StrengthenDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Because radishes passed their natural flower color to wild cousins, a botanist believes they will also pass on human-made traits like being immune to weed killer.
Conclusion: Genetically engineered traits like pesticide resistance will likely spread from crops to related weed species.
Reasoning: In a field experiment, domesticated radishes successfully passed their flower color traits to wild radish 'weeds' over several generations.
Analysis: The argument relies on the assumption that a genetically engineered trait (pesticide resistance) will behave the same way as a natural trait (flower color) during cross-pollination. To strengthen this, we need evidence that supports this comparison. Look for an answer that suggests the mechanism of gene transfer between these plants doesn't discriminate between natural and engineered genes, or one that confirms that the specific trait of pesticide resistance is indeed capable of being passed through the same biological channels as flower color.
Conclusion: Genetically engineered traits like pesticide resistance will likely spread from crops to related weed species.
Reasoning: In a field experiment, domesticated radishes successfully passed their flower color traits to wild radish 'weeds' over several generations.
Analysis: The argument relies on the assumption that a genetically engineered trait (pesticide resistance) will behave the same way as a natural trait (flower color) during cross-pollination. To strengthen this, we need evidence that supports this comparison. Look for an answer that suggests the mechanism of gene transfer between these plants doesn't discriminate between natural and engineered genes, or one that confirms that the specific trait of pesticide resistance is indeed capable of being passed through the same biological channels as flower color.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage23.Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the botanist's argument?
Correct Answer
E
If flower color is harder to transfer than almost any other trait between similarly related species, then observing its transfer strongly supports that other traits—like pesticide resistance—would also transfer from domesticated crops to their weedy relatives.
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