Karin: Every time I go to the park, I notice that there are lizards. Usually when I see one, it...

Phase 1: Owning the Dataset

First, Create an Argument Analysis Table

Second, Identify Argument Structure

After analyzing the passage, we can see:

• Karin's conclusion: There are probably many Lacerta viridis lizards in the park
• Karin's evidence: She usually sees this species when she spots a lizard
• Karin's assumption: Frequent sightings of a species indicate a large population
• Lina's position: The evidence doesn't strongly support the conclusion
• Overall flow: Observation pattern → Population inference → Critique of inference

Phase 2: Question Analysis & Prethinking

First, Understand What Each Part Asks

Let's break down what we need to find:

• Part 1: A statement that strengthens Karin's inference about the large Lacerta viridis population
• Part 2: A statement that supports Lina's position that Karin's experiences don't provide strong evidence

These parts are asking us to find statements that take opposite sides of the argument's validity.

Second, Generate Prethinking Based on Question Type

Since we're looking for strengtheners for both positions:

• For Karin's inference:
  • What would make her conclusion about population size more likely?
• For Lina's position:
  • What would show that Karin's experiences aren't good evidence?

Third, Develop Specific Prethinking for Each Part

For Part 1 (Supporting Karin):

• If Karin saw many different individual lizards across various locations
• If her sightings represented a good sample of the park's lizard population

For Part 2 (Supporting Lina):

• If Karin's sightings were biased or limited in some way
• If she was repeatedly seeing the same few individuals
• If she lacked knowledge about the total species diversity

Phase 3: Answer Choice Evaluation

Evaluating Each Choice

Choice A: "At least some of the lizards that Lina has seen in the park are of a species other than Lacerta viridis."

• This is about Lina's observations, not directly relevant to evaluating Karin's reasoning
• Doesn't strongly support either position

Choice B: "Lina knows that at least three different species of lizards inhabit the park."

• This suggests species diversity, but doesn't directly challenge Karin's evidence
• Weak support for Lina's position at best

Choice C: "Karin does not know how many different species of lizards inhabit the park."

• This shows a limitation in Karin's knowledge
• Moderately supports Lina's position by highlighting incomplete information

Choice D: "Most of Karin's lizard sightings in the park have been observations of the same individual Lacerta viridis."

• This is devastating to Karin's inference!
• If she's seeing the same individual repeatedly, that doesn't indicate a large population
• Strongly supports Lina's position

Choice E: "Karin has seen many lizards in many different parts of the park."

• This suggests widespread distribution and multiple sightings
• If combined with her observation that most are Lacerta viridis, this would indicate a large population
• Strongly supports Karin's inference

The Correct Answers

For Part 1 (Supports Karin's inference): Choice E

• If Karin has seen many lizards across different park areas, and most are Lacerta viridis, this genuinely suggests a large population of that species

For Part 2 (Supports Lina's position): Choice D

• If most sightings are of the same individual, then frequent observations don't indicate population size at all - perfectly supporting Lina's critique

Common Traps to Highlight

Choice C might seem attractive for supporting Lina's position because it shows Karin lacks complete information. However, it's weaker than Choice D because:

• Not knowing total species count doesn't necessarily invalidate population estimates for one species
• Choice D provides a specific, concrete reason why the experiences don't support the inference

Choice B might initially seem to support Lina by suggesting diversity, but:

• Knowing about other species doesn't directly challenge the evidence about Lacerta viridis frequency
• It's what Lina knows, not what affects Karin's reasoning