Although there has been great scientific debate for decades over global warming, most scientists now agree that human activity is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. Though predictions vary, many global warming experts believe that average global temperatures will rise between three and eight degrees Fahrenheit during the next century. Such an increase would cause an alarming rise in sea levels, displacing millions of people by destroying major population centers along the world’s coastlines.

Which of the following is an assumption in support of the argument’s conclusion?
a. New technological developments in the next century will not divert rising seas from the world’s coastal cities.
b.Individuals will not become more aware of the steps they can take to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
c. Rising sea levels similarly affect all coastal population centers.
d. Some global warming experts predict a greater than eight degree Fahrenheit increase in global temperatures during the next century.
e. Human activity is the sole cause of increasing global temperatures.

Source MGMAT Practice test

1. Is this question find the assumption or strenthen?
2. I selected E the answer is A. Can you please explain why E is wrong? A seems to be out of scope.

Dear Moderators pls help us explain the above one....i too got marked it with E as A seemed out of scopes

without "A" the conclusion would crumble. If there ARE new technologies that can divert rising seas from the world's coastal cities then the argument becomes moot because new technologies can prevent the displacement of millions of people and would avoid the destruction of major populations along the world's coastlines.

"E" is not correct because the argument is simply saying that most scientist agree that global warming is caused by the human activity. The crux of the argument is what follows. The fact that the root cause of global warming is not human activity but something else still does not deny that the temperature is going to increase causing the destruction.

perfect explanation.

But Ron doesn't A actaully talk of something out of scope and something not discussed in the passage at all.

If remember correctly you have said several times that assumptions are always limited to the scope of the passage. New information is not allowed. So how is A is correct?

In fact B is pretty much in scope so B must be the answer.

Tell us more about how A is out of scope. It seems in scope to me, in that it addresses the rising seas and their potential to destroy coastal cities.

Also, keep in mind that relying on your own interpretation of scope is less important than figuring out which answer choice MUST be true for the conclusion to stand. You can determine this by negating the options and seeing which one destroys the conclusion. Do this with both A and B and tell us what happens.

_________________
Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor

Option A doesn't talk about human activity at all.

Few questions here to Ron:

1. I did not follow the argument completely in terms of premises and conclusion. Is the last sentence the conclusion here.

2. Does not A provide new info such as new technologies? In that case this becomes a strengthen question rather than assumption question.

Pleas explain.A little confused here..

Hi Abhishek, not sure if if there is a question here



Hi rishisbook, yes it is. If you are confused between two sentences, use the logic: If X leads to Y then Y is the conclusion and if Y leads to X then X is the conclusion. Here, human activity is causing the rise in temperature which will lead to rise in sea levels, displacing millions of people by destroying major population centers along the world’s coastlines



hmmm.... Not sure about your doubt here. The question is clearly an assumption type. I will use a quick analogy.

"A student who studies from a top GMAT Prep course will score over 700. Rishi will score over 700 on the GMAT."

A possible answer (assumption) to this argument could be: "Rishi is enrolled in Manhattan GMAT course which is a top GMAT Prep course"

Now, I am introducing a new piece of information such as Manhattan GMAT course but I think that is acceptable.

Also, as Jamie has pointed out, no point wasting time on what is within scope and what is out of scope. The question is clearly an assumption type so best to choose the answer that is most appropriate, even if it doesn't seem great.

Regards

Sunil

thanks Sunil..

_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor

I was under theimpression that the first sentence was the conclusion. So I was crossed off A thinking it doesn't speak about Human activity.
Nevermind. I spotted my mistake.

cool; glad to hear it..

_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor