- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8948
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:36 am
#22685
Complete Question Explanation
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
This stimulus presents a traditional use of conditional reasoning in a must be true question. It is stated that an increase in carbon dioxide leads to an increase in the number of large bodies of water with temperatures over 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 meters. If the temperature of a large body reaches this level, it is more likely that tropical storms will develop in that area. Therefore, an increase in carbon dioxide will make it more likely that there will be tropical storms in the areas of temperature increase. If this is true, it can be inferred that there will likely be a larger number of storms overall:
Increase in CO2 → More Warm Water → More storms likely
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer. This answer choice combines the given premises to reach a logical conclusion. If there is an increase in the number of areas with conditions that support tropical storms, there will likely be an increase in the total number of storms.
Answer choice (B): This is similar to a Mistaken Reversal of the first premise. These temperatures simply make it more likely that there will be storms, they are not necessary for storms to occur. Also, the premise deals with water temperature, not air temperature.
Answer choice (C): The information in the stimulus only allows us to compare the number of bodies of water today with the number that there will be in the future if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase. There is not enough information about past levels to support this claim.
Answer choice (D): No information is given in the stimulus about the ferocity of tropical storms. All of the information presented deals with the number of storms, not their strength.
Answer choice (E): In the stimulus, it is an increase in carbon dioxide that affects the temperature of the Earth's oceans, not the other way around. This is a Mistaken Reversal of that premise.
Must Be True. The correct answer choice is (A)
This stimulus presents a traditional use of conditional reasoning in a must be true question. It is stated that an increase in carbon dioxide leads to an increase in the number of large bodies of water with temperatures over 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 meters. If the temperature of a large body reaches this level, it is more likely that tropical storms will develop in that area. Therefore, an increase in carbon dioxide will make it more likely that there will be tropical storms in the areas of temperature increase. If this is true, it can be inferred that there will likely be a larger number of storms overall:
Increase in CO2 → More Warm Water → More storms likelyAnswer choice (A): This is the correct answer. This answer choice combines the given premises to reach a logical conclusion. If there is an increase in the number of areas with conditions that support tropical storms, there will likely be an increase in the total number of storms.
Answer choice (B): This is similar to a Mistaken Reversal of the first premise. These temperatures simply make it more likely that there will be storms, they are not necessary for storms to occur. Also, the premise deals with water temperature, not air temperature.
Answer choice (C): The information in the stimulus only allows us to compare the number of bodies of water today with the number that there will be in the future if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase. There is not enough information about past levels to support this claim.
Answer choice (D): No information is given in the stimulus about the ferocity of tropical storms. All of the information presented deals with the number of storms, not their strength.
Answer choice (E): In the stimulus, it is an increase in carbon dioxide that affects the temperature of the Earth's oceans, not the other way around. This is a Mistaken Reversal of that premise.