LSAT--PARADOX SUN

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LSAT--PARADOX SUN

by ssgmatter » Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:20 am
Up until about 2 billion years ago, the sun was 30
percent dimmer than it is now. If the sun were that dim
now, our oceans would be completely frozen.
According to fossil evidence, however, life and liquid
water were both present as early as 3.8 billion years
ago.
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to
resolve the apparent discrepancy described above?
(A) Our atmosphere currently holds in significantly
less heat than it did 3.8 billion years ago.
(B) The liquid water present 3.8 billion years ago
later froze, only to melt again about 2 billion
years ago.
(C) A significant source of heat other than the sun
contributed to the melting of ice sheets
approximately 2 billion years ago.
(D) Evidence suggests that certain regions of ocean
remained frozen until much more recently than
2 billion years ago.
(E) When large portions of the globe are icecovered,
more of the sun's heat is reflected and
not absorbed by the earth than when only the
poles are ice-covered.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by thephoenix » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:04 am
IMO A

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by ssgmatter » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:07 am
Please explain....

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Phil

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by thephoenix » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:30 am
paradox:2 billion years ago, the sun was 30cpercent dimmer than it is now ,If the sun were that dim now, our oceans would be completely frozen; but life and liquid water were both present as early as 3.8 billion years
ago.
(A) Our atmosphere currently holds in significantly less heat than it did 3.8 billion years ago.
present condition more sunlight and atomsphere holds less heat so the effect raised due to more sunlight is nullify by less holding of heat
past condition: dim sun but more heat on earth so effects got canceled ; so same condition as now

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by paddle_sweep » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:42 am
Hmm...this question is a real tough one. Do similar questions appear on GMAT? If so,what would their percentage out of the entire CR questions set.

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