Of the following, which one most

Answer choices

1. A

   Inference Bait1% picked this

   The Earth would be far warmer than it is now if certain species of

   This is a possible inference from the plankton facts but it's not the main conclusion. The argument's main point is the broad claim that environment-altering is common — not the specific consequence about Earth's temperature if plankton went extinct. The plankton trivia is supporting evidence, not the takeaway.

   1%
2. B

   Inference Bait10% picked this

   By altering their environment in ways that improve their chances of survival, certain species of plankton benefit the

   The argument doesn't conclude that plankton benefit the Earth as a whole — it concludes that plankton benefit themselves by altering the environment, and uses this as evidence that environment-altering for survival is common. Whether the rest of the planet benefits is not the point. This answer also narrows the conclusion to one species (plankton), but the actual conclusion is broader.

   10%
3. C

   Correct88% picked this

   Improving their own chances of survival by altering the environment is not limited to the

   Why this is right

   This restates the main conclusion. The author opens by noting an assumption that only the most highly evolved species do environment-altering for survival, then says "this characteristic is actually quite common" — meaning it is not limited to the most highly evolved. The plankton example then supports that broad claim. (C) captures exactly what the argument is concluding.

   Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   88%
4. D

   Premise0% picked this

   The extent of the cloud cover over the oceans is largely determined by the quantity of

   This restates a premise from the plankton example — that the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presence of these particles (which trace back to plankton). It's used as evidence to support the main conclusion, not the conclusion itself.

   0%
5. E

   Out of Scope1% picked this

   Species such as plankton alter the environment in ways that are less detrimental to the well-being of other species than are the alterations to

   The argument never compares simple species' environmental alterations to the alterations made by highly evolved species in terms of harm to other species. The author's focus is whether environment-altering for survival is widespread — not whether it's more or less harmful when done by simpler species.

   1%