Critical Reasoning

16. The cause of the peculiar columnar growth
pattern displayed by junipers growing near
burning underground veins of lignite coal has
never been convincingly explained. Until recently,
the accepted theory posited that the abundance
of carbon monoxide in the local atmosphere
caused the columnar growth. However, a new
theory holds that the cause is the persistent
heat present near these underground fires
which, while not intense enough to inflame the
trees, can nonetheless change their normal
growth pattern.
The existence of which of the following would
provide the strongest support for the new
theory?
(A) A columnar juniper growing in an
atmosphere of intense heat and an
absence of carbon monoxide
(B) A normal juniper growing in an atmosphere
of intense heat and an absence of carbon
monoxide
(C) A columnar juniper growing in an
atmosphere of normal heat and a high
concentration of carbon monoxide
(D) A normal juniper growing in an atmosphere
of intense heat and a high concentration
of carbon monoxide
(E) A columnar juniper growing in an
atmosphere of intense heat and a high
concentration of carbon monoxide

would go for A

old theory=> carbon monoxide causes columnar growth
new theory=> persistent heat near buring lignites causes columnar growth


B and D are out as they talk of normal growth

A. supports the new theory only by eliminating the old theory

C. supports old theory. also talks of normal heat.

E. supports both theory.

A seems to an answer.

C, D and E are out as they all take into consideration old theroy along with new theory and do not prove that only new theory is valid not old theory for columnar growth of juniper. To strengthen the argument correct answer should prove that columnar growth of juniper is possible only through the reasonings of new theroy and not through old theory reasonings.

Out of A and B, B is not correct as it talks about growth of normal juniper not columnar juniper which argument is interested in.

Other takers please.

Well done guys the OA is indeed A. Makes sense the explanations you have given. Thanks

Hello,

There is 1 issue I do not understand in this question:

However, a new
theory holds that the cause is the persistent
heat present near these underground fires
which, while not intense enough to inflame the
trees, can nonetheless change their normal
growth pattern.

Sorry if my English is not good enough. However from my understanding, the question states nothing about the intense heat (as the bold part in the question above).

For that reason I feel a little confused for finding the correct answer.

Could anyone help me?

Thanks.