The geese that gather at the pond

[singhvikramveer]

The geese that gather at the pond of a large corporation create a hazard for executives who use the corporate helicopter, whose landing site is 40 feet away from the pond. To solve the problem, the corporation plans to import a large number of herding dogs to keep the geese away from the helicopter.
Which of the following, if a realistic possibility, would cast the most serious doubt on the prospects for success of the corporation’s plan?
(A) The dogs will form an uncontrollable pack.
(B) The dogs will require training to learn to herd the geese.
(C) The dogs will frighten away foxes that prey on old and sick geese.
(D) It will be necessary to keep the dogs in quarantine for 30 days after importing them.
(E) Some of the geese will move to the pond of another corporation in order to avoid being herded by the dogs.

This is how I went with this:
(A) The dogs will form an uncontrollable pack.: The question says that they are heard dogs so this is doubtful

(B) The dogs will require training to learn to herd the geese.: Same point as A and even if they were to be trained even then does not make sense...

(C) The dogs will frighten away foxes that prey on old and sick geese. :No use of this option

(D) It will be necessary to keep the dogs in quarantine for 30 days after importing them. : They can start doing the job after 30 days no use

(E) Some of the geese will move to the pond of another corporation in order to avoid being herded by the dogs. : Out of context

I think none of the option is valid... Please help

[adiagr]

This is how I went with this:
(A) The dogs will form an uncontrollable pack.: Hold this one

(B) The dogs will require training to learn to herd the geese.:

Not a big issue. Eliminate.

(C) The dogs will frighten away foxes that prey on old and sick geese. : Out of context. Eliminate

(D) It will be necessary to keep the dogs in quarantine for 30 days after importing them. : They can start doing the job after 30 days, so eliminate.

(E) Some of the geese will move to the pond of another corporation in order to avoid being herded by the dogs. : Out of context, Eliminate.

So finally "A" is the one which we had kept on hold.

Problem is due to geese obstructing the landing. If the proposed solution (trained dogs) will create a similar problem of obstructing, then doubts creep up regarding the effectiveness of solution.

Regarding your doubt, please always remember this: Question always says:

Which of the following, if a realistic possibility. So you have to take into account the case when dogs become uncontrollable.

Hope it helps.

Aditya.

[singhvikramveer]

Okay point taken but the question also says that they are heard dogs so it is expected that the dogs know their job... Moreover the distance between the pond and landing area is 40M... This might be the only OK option but am still not convinced i think for a CR question the answer should be very clear...

[RonPurewal]

Okay point taken but the question also says that they are heard dogs so it is expected that the dogs know their job...

the word "uncontrollable" specifically contradicts this notion -- that word literally implies that the dogs are not going to do their job.

the lesson you should take from this: if there is a conflict between the literal meaning of the words and the assumptions that you are making about the words, the literal meaning ALWAYS wins.

[shans.bgp]

Okay point taken but the question also says that they are heard dogs so it is expected that the dogs know their job...

the word "uncontrollable" specifically contradicts this notion -- that word literally implies that the dogs are not going to do their job.

the lesson you should take from this: if there is a conflict between the literal meaning of the words and the assumptions that you are making about the words, the literal meaning ALWAYS wins.

I didnt get you Ron. It seems that A is the best possible answer. But u say literal meaning (they move in herd) wins over assumption (?). which assumption and how?

[aliassad]

By assumption Ron meant the assumption which you are making about the word. So in this case the previous poster was assuming that herd dogs are "not uncontrollable"

But the answer choice says that dogs will form an uncontrollable pack. So uncontrollable should mean literally that the dogs will not be controlled

Ali Asad

[jnelson0612]

Thanks Ali!