Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules

Question

Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules in exposed shale and similar sediments. In so doing, the microbes remove oxygen from the atmosphere and generate carbon dioxide, a gas that, evidence indicates, promotes global wanning. They also conjecture that these microbes reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures.

The scientists' conjectures, if true, provide the most support for which one of the following statements?

(A) The microbes' activity will soon diminish as the organic molecules in exposed sediments are depleted.
(B) Every organism that generates carbon dioxide reproduces more quickly at high temperatures.
(C) If global warming occurs, it will be exacerbated by the activity of the microbes.
(D) The microbes do not ren1ove any element other than oxygen from the atmosphere.
(E) A significant portion of the carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere was produced by the microbes.

Source: LSAT

renjana · Answer

Does anyone have a proper explanation to this question ?

arun6765 · Answer

Only option C is valid option.

(C) If global warming occurs, it will be exacerbated( worsened)  by the activity of the microbes.

as indicated in the passage (remove oxygen from the atmosphere and generate carbon dioxide, a gas that, evidence indicates, promotes global warming.)

so if global warming is already happening microbial activity will add to the cause.

Rollroll · Answer

I narrowed down to C and E. 
E says a significant portion but no where in the argument it is mentioned that a major Amount of CO2 is produced by microbes,therefore E is out
ans C

Adi93 · Answer

IMO C

All other options look extreme.

push12345 · Answer

C is better option.
Because if global warming occurs then presence of microbes will create more carbon dioxide means more temperature ..means it is worsening environment more...

Other options are extreme as well as not conveying what is in question stem

Posted from my mobile device

SSM700plus · Answer

Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules in exposed shale and similar sediments. In so doing, the microbes remove oxygen from the atmosphere and generate carbon dioxide, a gas that, evidence indicates, promotes global wanning. They also conjecture that these microbes reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures.

The scientists' conjectures, if true, provide the most support for which one of the following statements?

(A) The microbes' activity will soon diminish as the organic molecules in exposed sediments are depleted.
 There is no discussion in the stimulus about - microbes' activity will soon diminish or organic molecules in exposed sediments are depleted. Incorrect

(B) Every organism that generates carbon dioxide reproduces more quickly at high temperatures.
 There is nothing mentioned in the stimulus about organism other than certain microbes. So   Every organism   in this choice makes it wrong.

(C) If global warming occurs, it will be exacerbated by the activity of the microbes.
 This option hints that if global warming occurs, it will be worsen by the activity of the microbes. So this is pretty good choice. Let's HOLD ON.

(D) The microbes do not ren1ove any element other than oxygen from the atmosphere.
 There is nothing mentioned here about removing an element other than oxygen. This choice is wrong again.

(E) A significant portion of the carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere was produced by the microbes.
 No data point mentioned in the stimulus in this regard.This choice is also wrong.

Hence C is the Ans.

Hope this helps.

abhishekdadarwal2009 · Answer

Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules in exposed shale and similar sediments. In so doing, the microbes remove oxygen from the atmosphere and generate carbon dioxide, a gas that, evidence indicates, promotes global wanning. They also conjecture that these microbes reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures.

The scientists' conjectures, if true, provide the most support for which one of the following statements?

(A) The microbes' activity will soon diminish as the organic molecules in exposed sediments are depleted.
(B) Every organism that generates carbon dioxide reproduces more quickly at high temperatures.
(C) If global warming occurs, it will be exacerbated by the activity of the microbes.
(D) The microbes do not ren1ove any element other than oxygen from the atmosphere.
(E) A significant portion of the carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere was produced by the microbes.

Solution
So this is a 'must be true' or provide 'conclusion' type question.
The above give stimulus is a fact set and not a argument as it lacks a conclusion.
To solve this we can do process of elimination.

A:we dont know anything about depletion of sediments.So out of scope.
B:Every organism is far fetched. so is wrong
 C:Correct:if global warming occurs it will stimulate the reproduction of such microbs and they will intern increase carbondioxide and further increase the temprature.
 D:too bold of a statement we dont know that.
E:not stated or suported by the stimulus. out of scope.

RohitSaluja · Answer

Analysis of the argument

Certain microbes consume organic molecules in exposed shale and sediments, while doing so they remove O2 and release C02, which promotes global warming. Now, let us look at the options

(A) The microbes' activity will soon diminish as the organic molecules in exposed sediments are depleted. -  We are not sure if microbes will diminish as sediments get depleted 
(B) Every organism that generates carbon dioxide reproduces more quickly at high temperatures. -   To extreme  
(C) If global warming occurs, it will be exacerbated by the activity of the microbes. -   Not great, not terrible option let's hold on to this one, give kudos if you got the reference   
(D) The microbes do not remove any element other than oxygen from the atmosphere.   Too extreme  
(E) A significant portion of the carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere was produced by the microbes.   Again nowhere it is mentioned

VerbalBot · Answer

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Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules

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Scientists conjecture that certain microbes consume organic molecules

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