Most geologists believe oil results from chemical transformations of hydrocarbons derived from organisms buried under ancient seas. Suppose, instead, that oil actually results from bacterial action on other complex hydrocarbons that are trapped within the Earth. As is well known, the volume of these hydrocarbons exceeds that of buried organisms. Therefore, our oil reserves would be greater than most geologists believe.
Which of the following, if true, gives the strongest support to the argument above about our oil reserves?
(A) Most geologists think optimistically about the Earths reserves of oil.
(B) Most geologists have performed accurate chemical analyses on previously discovered oil reserves.
(C) Ancient seas are buried within the Earth at many places where fossils are abundant.
(D) The only bacteria yet found in oil reserves could have leaked down drill holes from surface contaminants.
(E) Chemical transformations reduce the volume of buried hydrocarbons derived from organisms by roughly the same proportion as bacterial action reduces the volume of other complex hydrocarbons.
OA E
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Most geologists believe oil results from chemical
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Premise: Oil results from bacteria action on other complex hydrocarbons that are trapped within the earth.
Conclusion The volume of hydrocarbons derived within the earth exceeds those that are derived from buried organizm. Hence, the oil reserves would be greater than most geologists believe.
Option A - Incorrect
Most geologists believe oil results from chemical transformations of hydrocarbons derived from organisms buried under ancient seas and not hydrocarbons trapped within the earth.
Option B - Incorrect
This isn't true because it wasn't stated tha any chemical analysis was performed on previously discovered oil reserves by geologists.
Option C - Incorrect
This is literally objective to the argument as no information about where ancient seas are buried was disclosed in the passage.
Option D - Incorrect
We are not concerned about the only bacteria which could have leaked down drill holes from surface contaminants as this claim weakens the argument.
Option E - Correct
This claim conforms with the argument because the volume of hydrocarbons trapped within the earth outstrips buried organisms which will enable our oil reserves to be greater than geologists' believe.
Conclusion The volume of hydrocarbons derived within the earth exceeds those that are derived from buried organizm. Hence, the oil reserves would be greater than most geologists believe.
Option A - Incorrect
Most geologists believe oil results from chemical transformations of hydrocarbons derived from organisms buried under ancient seas and not hydrocarbons trapped within the earth.
Option B - Incorrect
This isn't true because it wasn't stated tha any chemical analysis was performed on previously discovered oil reserves by geologists.
Option C - Incorrect
This is literally objective to the argument as no information about where ancient seas are buried was disclosed in the passage.
Option D - Incorrect
We are not concerned about the only bacteria which could have leaked down drill holes from surface contaminants as this claim weakens the argument.
Option E - Correct
This claim conforms with the argument because the volume of hydrocarbons trapped within the earth outstrips buried organisms which will enable our oil reserves to be greater than geologists' believe.
