Question

Although many people would not believe it, the mosquito is actually the most dangerous animal in Africa. While the bite of the black mamba is invariably lethal when untreated, this dreaded snake kills only a few dozen people per year. Hippopotami, with their immense strength and foul dispositions, kill hundreds of people per year in rivers and lakes, but the mosquito is still more dangerous. Mosquitoes bite hundreds of millions of people in Africa every year, and they infect over a million each year with malaria, a disease that is often fatal. Which of the following questions would be most useful in evaluating the claim made above regarding the mosquito?

• A. Could a person survive an attack by a black mamba if that person received prompt medical attention?
• B. What criteria are used to determine which animal is the “most dangerous” animal?
• C. Could the incidence of mosquito bites be decreased through the judicious use of pesticides and insect repellent?
• D. Does malaria kill more people per year in Africa than tuberculosis?
• E. How does the percentage of people who survive hippopotamus attacks in Africa each year compare with the percentage of people who survive mosquito bites?

Hint:

When evaluating claims about danger or severity, it is important to understand the criteria used for comparison.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Evaluate the claim about the mosquito.
The claim is that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal in Africa, but this is based on an undefined comparison. We need to establish the criteria for determining "most dangerous."
Step 2: Review the options.
- (A) This question addresses the black mamba but does not help assess whether mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal.
- (B) This question directly addresses how to determine the “most dangerous” animal, making it the most useful for evaluating the claim.
- (C) While pesticides and repellents may reduce mosquito bites, this question does not directly evaluate the claim.
- (D) This question provides interesting information, but it does not help compare the relative danger of mosquitoes to other animals.
- (E) This question compares the survival rate of different animal attacks but does not address the overall danger posed by mosquitoes.
Conclusion:
Option (B) is the most useful because it helps clarify the criteria for determining which animal is the most dangerous.