you should have given answer options which would help in directing towards the possible answer..
i would say the author is refuting the assumption with an example so thats the conclusion anything which is close to this will be appealing
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
Species adapt according to environment:
Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning |
Follow the DICTION: the author's choice of words.It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually ASSUMED that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. HOWEVER, this characteristic is ACTUALLY quite common. Certain species of plankton, for EXAMPLE, generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulphate. These particles cause water vapor to condense, thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presense of these particles. More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the earth absorbs less heat. Thus plankton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.
What is the main conclusion of the above statements?
a. Plankton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler.
b. It is well known that many species adapt to their environment.
c. The formation of clouds depends on the presence of sulphate particles in the atmosphere.
d. The characteristic of species' altering their environment in ways that aid their own survival is actually quite common.
e. Certain planktons aid in the formation of clouds.
Ignore the details.
Focus on STRUCTURE.
The words that I've put into UPPER CASE letters constitute the CORE of the passage.
It is usually ASSUMED that X is true.
HOWEVER, X is not true.
Y is ACTUALLY true.
Here is an EXAMPLE: plankton.
The main conclusion is the statement in red.
In the words of the passage:
This characteristic -- that species will alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival -- is ACTUALLY QUITE COMMON.
The correct answer is D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Hi Mitch,
Thanks for the answer, but I read in power score CR bible that the word "HOWEVER" is a counter - premise indicator,but here it seems it is used as a conclusion indicator which confused me.
So from this question I can conclude that the HOWEVER is not a premise indicator as I believed earlier is that right?
Regards,
Manpreet
Thanks for the answer, but I read in power score CR bible that the word "HOWEVER" is a counter - premise indicator,but here it seems it is used as a conclusion indicator which confused me.
So from this question I can conclude that the HOWEVER is not a premise indicator as I believed earlier is that right?
Regards,
Manpreet













