Explain please

Why is E incorrect?

@zwa39 and @Shiyi-Zhang, Happy to help. This is a strengthen question. @zwa39, yes, this is a cause and effect argument in the sense that the argument is putting forth causes as premises and concluding there will be a certain effect. However, I wouldn't worry too much about this. It's more important to focus on the argument and what is going on in it—that's what will help you to most easily see which answer choice strengthens it. Let's take a look at the stimulus. We're told in the stimulus that dolphins' synchronized behaviors aren't merely a result of training; rather, dolphins are actually capable of higher cognitive functions. The argument's evidence for this conclusion is that when dolphins are given the hand signal to "do something creative together," they perform different types of actions. The questions asks, "Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?" Before we look at the answer choices, it's important to note that the argument contains an important assumption: it's assuming that dolphins' different behaviors in response to the same hand signal is good evidence that they're capable of higher cognitive functions. It's very possible that the correct answer will strengthen this assumption, so let's keep an eye out for that. @Shiyi-Zhang, you asked why (E) is incorrect. (E) says, "Some of the behaviors mentioned are exhibited by dolphins in their natural habitat." (E) actually weakens the stimulus because if it were true, then it would be much harder to believe that the dolphins' actions in response to the same hand signal were creative. Thus, we can get rid of this answer choice since it weakens, rather than strengthens, the argument. (B) says, "The dolphins often exhibit complex new responses to the hand signal." If the dolphins are often coming up with complex new responses to the hand signal, this adds good support for the assertion that the dolphins are working with one another to plan something creative, and this is exactly what the argument's conclusion believes is the case. If (B) is true, the argument is strengthened because it's more likely the dolphins are actually doing something creative in response to the hand signal. Does this help? Let us know if you have any more questions!