In preindustrial England, a certain species of moth was entirely white. Only genetic throwbacks of this species had colored wings. After the industrial revolution and 100 years had passed, researchers noticed that most members of this species of moth had developed gray wings. The white wings had allowed the moths to blend in with the pale rocks and white sand of the coast, but after the industrial revolution, white wings were not as good camouflage as they had been before. The change in wing color must be attributable to the soot of the industrial revolution, which caused the moths’ habitat, the white rocks and sand, to turn gray.
Which of the following is an assumption that the conclusion of the argument depends upon?
(A) Gray moths can fly faster than white moths and are better able to avoid birds.
(B) The soot of the industrial revolution is the only reason why the rocks and sand turned gray.
(C) The rocks and sand were just as gray in preindustrial England as they are today.
(D) Moths that are best able to blend in with their habitats possess an evolutionary advantage.
(E) The presence or absence of factories in England held an implication for the diet of birds that lived on the coast.![]()
Which of the following is an assumption that the conclusion of the argument depends upon?
(A) Gray moths can fly faster than white moths and are better able to avoid birds.
(B) The soot of the industrial revolution is the only reason why the rocks and sand turned gray.
(C) The rocks and sand were just as gray in preindustrial England as they are today.
(D) Moths that are best able to blend in with their habitats possess an evolutionary advantage.
(E) The presence or absence of factories in England held an implication for the diet of birds that lived on the coast.