SAT Reading & Writing · Command of Evidence (textual)
In Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, intense ivory poaching during a period of civil conflict was followed by a sharp increase in the…
In Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, intense ivory poaching during a period of civil conflict was followed by a sharp increase in the proportion of tuskless female elephants in the surviving population. A wildlife documentary claims this proves tusklessness carries no biological disadvantage for elephants and should be considered a purely positive trait. Which finding would most directly undermine the documentary's claim?
Answer and explanation
Answer: C: The tuskless trait appears to be linked to genetics that may reduce survival among male offspring, indicating the trait carries real biological costs even as it protected some elephants from being…
The documentary's claim is that tusklessness has "no biological disadvantage," an absolute statement, and C directly supplies a real cost, reduced male offspring viability tied to the same genetics, showing the trait isn't simply, purely beneficial. A and B describe the selection pressure and survival advantage already established in the setup without addressing whether the trait has any downside. D is background context about why tusks made elephants targets, not about the trait's broader costs.
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