Although there has been great scientific debate for decades over global warming, most scientists now agree that human activity is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. Though predictions vary, many global warming experts believe that average global temperatures will rise between three and eight degrees Fahrenheit during the next century. Such an increase would cause an alarming rise in sea levels, displacing millions of people by destroying major population centers along the world’s coastlines.

Which of the following is an assumption in support of the argument’s conclusion?

(A) New technological developments in the next century will not divert rising seas from the world’s coastal cities.
(B) Individuals will not become more aware of the steps they can take to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
(C) Rising sea levels similarly affect all coastal population centers.
(D) Some global warming experts predict a greater than eight degree Fahrenheit increase in global temperatures during the next century.
(E) Human activity is the sole cause of increasing global temperatures.

Between A and E, I first went to E. To me, A was tempting since by applying the negation test, it works as an assumption. However, I tried to get the argument and the premise, and the conclusion. I thought the conculsion is human activity caused to increase the sea level and the assumption should be something on human activity. Any better understanding on the question??? Thx.

icandy,

let's do negation on option A:

New technological developments in the next century WILL divert rising seas from the world’s coastal cities--->is this even physically possible???? I don't find this a realistic assumption to begin with. If it is correct, then the author must be high on cock or something...lol

Even if you want to make some sense out of it, it doesn't address the causal relationship between human activity and rise in temperature. So even if such an assumption in option A is realistic, it's addressing the rising sea level, which is an effect of rising temperature. you want to address the relationship between human activity and rising temperature. So i still think E should be the answer. This is interesting...what's the OA?

Although there has been great scientific debate for decades over global warming, most scientists now agree that human activity is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. Though predictions vary, many global warming experts believe that average global temperatures will rise between three and eight degrees Fahrenheit during the next century. Such an increase would cause an alarming rise in sea levels, displacing millions of people by destroying major population centers along the world’s coastlines.

Which of the following is an assumption in support of the argument’s conclusion?

(A) New technological developments in the next century will not divert rising seas from the world’s coastal cities. -> THe best clearly says there are no advncement to prevent sea water to enter coastal lines.If this were negated then people in coastal lines will not be displaced .Concl is false hence IMO answer
(B) Individuals will not become more aware of the steps they can take to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. -> this is OOS even if people become aware then what ????
(C) Rising sea levels similarly affect all coastal population centers. -> this is not an issue even if itsnegated concl is not affected
(D) Some global warming experts predict a greater than eight degree Fahrenheit increase in global temperatures during the next century. -> This does not affect concl
(E) Human activity is the sole cause of increasing global temperatures. -> This is OOS