Logical reasoning PrepTest 151 · Section 2 · Question 11

Incorrect. This answer doesn't explain why these trees would help achieve the stated goal. We don't even know that these sun-hungry trees are the ones being used!

Incorrect. If anything, this makes the paradox worse by giving another reason to plant a variety of tree species.

Incorrect. Since the stimulus doesn't state whether the fast-growing tree species are native to these areas, it's impossible to tell if this answer is relevant.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Paradox

Stimulus Summary:
The goal of reforesting is to create a varied and healthy forest. From this, one might expect that people trying to reforest a . . . forest would plant a lot of species. However, experienced land managers will sometimes plant a single, fast-growing tree species.

Answer Anticipation:
In this scenario, the method being used seems to contradict the goal. In order to resolve the paradox, we should look for an answer that explains how the method actually helps to achieve the goal. Here, let's find an answer that explains how these fast-growing tree species could, long-term, help other trees grow, thus creating the varied forest.

Answer Explanation:
This answer explains how a single tree species being planted could help achieve the goal of having a variety of trees. First, the fast-growing trees are planted. Then, they quickly grow and attract wildlife, which leads to the natural dispersal of a variety of trees.

Key Takeaway:
For Paradox questions, when a method that seems counterproductive to a goal is presented, it's often the case that there's an unexpected benefit to the method that will lead to the goal.

Incorrect. Is this answer calling the land managers lazy? They can't be bothered to do the job right? Attacking the experts in the stimulus is not going to resolve a paradox.