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Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules in exposed shale and similar sediments.
In so doing, the microbes remove oxygen from the atmosphere and generate carbon dioxide, a gas that, evidence indicates, promotes global warming.
They also conjecture that these microbes reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures.
The scientists' conjectures, if true, provide the most support for which one of the following statements?
The microbes' activity will soon
This relies on the assumption that the organic molecules consumed by the microbes will soon be depleted.
5% picked this
Every organism that generates carbon
The statements indicate that for at least one organism this relationship is true, but to say that it is true for every organism that generates carbon dioxide goes too far.
2% picked this
If global warming occurs, it
Why this is right
There is a runaway cycle that is possible given the statements. The microbes generate carbon dioxide, which promotes global warming. Since these microbes reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures, the more carbon dioxide in the environment, the faster the microbes reproduce and in turn again the more carbon dioxide is generated to promote global warming.
Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
88% picked this
The microbes do not remove
The scientists statements are conjecture and so cannot establish whether microbes have removed any elements other than oxygen. Furthermore, elements other than oxygen and carbon dioxide are not discussed in the statements.
2% picked this
A significant portion of the
The scientists statements are conjecture and so cannot establish whether microbes actually generated any carbon dioxide.
4% picked this
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