Question

There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.Select the statement that BEST expresses the main idea.
Responses

a. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.
a. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.

c. Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.
c. Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.

d. The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.
d. The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.

b. The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals

Answer 1

The statement that BEST expresses the main idea is:

**a. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.**

This option encapsulates the overall message that while coyotes have a negative reputation, they can actually provide benefits to farmers and ranchers when managed appropriately.