#23 - Certain bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide as a

[queenbee]

Hi
I dont really understand why A is correct. The stimulus said that that a dense colony of such bacteria can continue to thrive indefinitely. It didnt say it could continuously provide enough Hydrogen Sulfide. It seems like I am splitting hairs but I feel like we have to do that a lot with these questions.

I chose C because it seemed like it followed the stimulus. Would you please explain why C is incorrect?
thank you

[Adam Tyson]

We need an answer that is supported by the stimulus, queenbee, and the evidence is that these colonies 1) use hydrogen sulfide to remove oxygen, 2) use it to get food, and therefore 3) can survive indefinitely. That conclusion should have stood out as a potential problem - they can do this indefinitely? Like, forever? That's a pretty strong claim.

If it's true that they can survive indefinitely, then it must be that they can keep on removing that deadly oxygen and getting food, forever and ever. That's what supports the claim that they can keep on cranking out that hydrogen sulfide! It's a lot like an Assumption answer in that regard, as answer A fills a gap in the argument. If it wasn't true, the conclusion that they would survive indefinitely would be pretty weak.

Answer C is too strong, and has little, if any, support in the stimulus. We know that SOME stuff that it kills will become a food source, but does that support that MOST of the stuff it kills will be food? Nope! Never pick an answer that is stronger than the evidence will support!