Critical Reasoning

Temperature shifts can trend toward warming or cooling, based on a number of gravitational, seasonal, and human variables. These variables affect different ecosystems differently and thus should produce a random pattern in which some ecosystems warm while others cool. However, data gathered in a 1980s study shows that the shifts occur in a definitely skewed pattern, with most areas' temperatures rising simultaneously.

Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation for the patterned changes recorded in the study?
Choices
A Massive warming can result from widespread pollution in many countries.

B Certain regions with specific geographical features respond in varying degrees to surrounding changes.

C Some regions grow warmer due to increased volcanic activity in those regions.

D In the 1990s and beyond, which were not as well documented, human pollution skewed the trend toward warming.

E Regions that are geographically closest are most likely to be affected in similar ways.

OA: A. Why is E not right here. The regions that were recorded in the sample were geographically closest and hence experienced same climatic effects. So the sample in the question was not representative of all regions in general.

The argument does not mention that data gathered in 1980s were from geographically closest regions...
So, you cannot say that E could resolve the paradox..

rahulvsd wrote:Temperature shifts can trend toward warming or cooling, based on a number of gravitational, seasonal, and human variables. These variables affect different ecosystems differently and thus should produce a random pattern in which some ecosystems warm while others cool. However, data gathered in a 1980s study shows that the shifts occur in a definitely skewed pattern, with most areas' temperatures rising simultaneously.

Which of the following, if true, forms the best basis for at least a partial explanation for the patterned changes recorded in the study?
Choices
A Massive warming can result from widespread pollution in many countries.

B Certain regions with specific geographical features respond in varying degrees to surrounding changes.

C Some regions grow warmer due to increased volcanic activity in those regions.

D In the 1990s and beyond, which were not as well documented, human pollution skewed the trend toward warming.

E Regions that are geographically closest are most likely to be affected in similar ways.

OA: A. Why is E not right here. The regions that were recorded in the sample were geographically closest and hence experienced same climatic effects. So the sample in the question was not representative of all regions in general.

I think the last line sums up why A is a better solution. The last line mentions that "most areas' TEMPERATURE RISING' simultaneously. So therefore he does not mention any other areas where cooling has happened. THe right solution to this will focus on the rising temperatures. Areas that are close to each other will nonetheless be part of a greater eco-system so choice E kind of just restates information (in a loose way) that is already presented in the argument. Also, the wording of the question is always very important and will always give you logical clues. The question asks " which forms the BEST basis for the patterned changes in the STUDY" . Note he just refers to the study. The study showed "Temperatures Rising Simultaneously" so we are searching for a basis for this very fact.

I hope I have answered the question

Since data shows same pattern in most of the countries, it means same variable has shown effects in all these variables. In first answer it says massive warming occured because of widespread pollution in many countries. hence it strengthens our conclusion. hence A

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