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test 15

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by vaivish » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:40 am
A report on the likely effects of current levels of air pollutions on forest growth in North America concluded that, since nitrogen is necessary nutrient for optimal plant growth, the nitrogen deposited on forest soil as result of air pollution probably benefits eastern forests. However, European soil scientists have found that in forests saturated with sulfate and nitrate, tress begin to die when the nitrogen deposited exceeds the amount of nitrogen absorbed by the forest system. Since this finding is likely to apply to forests everywhere, large areas of eastern forests of North America are, undoubtedly, already being affected adversely.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?
(A) The implication of the report cited is that the amount of nitrogen reaching eastern forests by way of polluted air is approximately what those forests need for optimal growth.
(B) If large areas of eastern forests were increasingly saturated with sulfate and nitrate, the capacity of those forest systems for absorbing nitrogen would also increase.
(C) The type of analysis used by European soil scientists does not necessarily apply to eastern forests of North America.
(D) The eastern forests are the only forests of North America currently affected by polluted air.
(E) Contrary to the report cited, the nitrogen pollution now in the air is more likely to cause trees to die in eastern forests than to benefit them.
OA is e

Why e is preferred over a?
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by banker1 » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:56 am
The question states: Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?, said another way, what is the passage saying.

(A) claims the amount of nitrogen reaching the forests is optimal for growth.

(D) claims the nitrogen in the air will harm the trees.

The North American report is on air pollution whereas European soil scientists have information about absorbed nitrogen in the forest. This disproves the North American report and supports the conclusion that North American forests are being effected since the findings are likely to apply to forests everywhere.
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by john83.amar » Wed May 11, 2016 12:30 pm
The official answer is E. But I don't understand why? Can anyone explain
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