Essayist: If Earth's population

Answer choices

1. A

   Background4% picked this

   If Earth's population continues to grow geometrically, then in a few centuries the population density of Earth's surface will be

   This is just a factual, mathematical claim. It isn't supported by any reasons. Supporting reasons for this claim would sound mathematical: why would the density be 10 people / sq. meter in this hypothetical? because ... there are currently 8 billion people at a growth rate of 10% per year. The habitable land mass of Earth is 20 billion square meters. (etc.)

   4%
2. B

   Unstated12% picked this

   Due to the continuing geometric growth of Earth's population, the problem of overpopulation of Earth

   We're not trying to draw an Inference or call out an unstated Assumption on Main Conclusion. We're trying to point at the explicit claim that is the author's conclusion and then find an answer that matches. This answer choice was never stated.

   12%
3. C

   Last Idea Trap11% picked this

   If Earth's population continues to double every 30 years, and if at some point half of the population of Earth emigrated elsewhere, then after

   The conclusion is the last claim in the paragraph only like 10% of the time on Main Conclusion questions, so be very suspicious any time you're picking an answer that says the last idea. This is a premise, supporting our actual conclusion. There isn't any supporting reason offered for this claim. It's self-justifying math to say that, "If X doubles every 2 hours, then if you cut X in half, you'll be back to the original amount 2 hours later."

   11%
4. D

   Unstated16% picked this

   The population of Earth's surface will probably continue to grow geometrically even if temporary solutions to population growth, such as

   We're not trying to draw an Inference or call out an unstated Assumption on Main Conclusion. We're trying to point at the explicit claim that is the author's conclusion and then find an answer that matches. The idea in this answer choice was never stated.

   16%
5. E

   Correct58% picked this

   Learning how to colonize other planets would, at best, be a temporary solution to the

   Why this is right

   This is the author's opinion, rebutting the "some people" in the previous claim. Support is indicated by the colon, ":" and if we were to ask, "why should we believe that it will be a temporary solution at best?", the final idea would sound like an answer -- "because if the population is doubling every 30 years, then shipping off half the population to another planet only buys you 30 years before you're right back where you started".

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

   58%