It is well known that many species adapt to their environment

Question

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environmentt in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristic is actually quite common. Certain species of plankton, for example generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulphate. These particles cause water vapor to condense,thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presense of these particles.More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the earth absorbs less heat.Thus plankton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.

What is the main conclusion of the above statements?

a.Plakton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler.
b.It is well known that many species adapt to their environment
c.The formation of clouds depends on the presense of sulphate particles in the atmosphere.
d.The characteristic of species altering their environmentt in ways that aid their own survival actually quite common
e.Certain planktons aid in the formation of clouds

vivesomnium · Answer

I think the answer should be D
B is not a conclusion- it is a fact which is clearly stated in the beginning of the sentence: "It is well known that many species adapt to their environment"
A, C E all relate to the plankton- sulphate-cloud example. This is used in the agument only as an  example  which is cited to support thw conclusion- an example cant be a conclusion in itself.

The only conclusion which is generic and not particular to example in the sentence is D

mattapraveen · Answer

That was some real good explanation and its right. OA is "D" and you have given the OE.

gmat1220 · Answer

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environmentt in ways that aid their own survival. However, this  characteristic is actually quite common . Certain species of plankton, for example generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulphate. These particles cause water vapor to condense,thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presense of these particles.More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the earth absorbs less heat.Thus plankton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.

siddharthmuzumdar · Answer

D it is.

As already stated by vivesomnium, options A, C and E refer only to the example stated in support of the conclusion. Thus, they are out.
B is actually contradicted by the entire passage. The passage is written to prove that the opposite of the traditional "knowledge" is true.
D mentions this opposite, the main conclusion of the argument.

jedit · Answer

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristic is actually quite common. Certain species of plankton, for example, generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulfate. These particles cause water vapor to condense, thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presence of these particles. More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the Earth absorbs less heat. Thus plankton cause the surface of the Earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.

Of the following, which one most accurately expresses restated conclusion of the argument?

A. The Earth would be far warmer than it is now if certain species of plankton became extinct.
B. By altering their environment in ways that improve their chances of survival, certain species of plankton benefit the Earth as a whole.
C. Improving their own chances of survival by altering the environment is not limited to the most highly evolved species.
D. The extent of the cloud cover over the oceans is largely determined by the quantity of plankton in those oceans.
E. Species such as plankton alter the environment in ways that are less detrimental to the well-being of other species than are the alterations to the environment made by more highly evolved species.

The argument is posted at https://gmatclub.com/forum/it-is-well-k ... 12004.html but answer choices are phrased differently, order is different and OA is not provided.

sallysea · Answer

Please, specify the source of this question.

guialain · Answer

Answer choice C best summarize the message conveyed in the passage.
Other answer choices are just partial or too specific to some sections of the passage. Hence the fail to capture the idea as a whole.

shekyonline · Answer

The important aspect is understanding the first 2 lines-

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristic is actually quite common.

This is the main idea. A, B supports the benefits part but not concentrate on the above 2 lines.

C covers up the fact that it is not confined to only highly evolved species.
D, E- Irrelevant.

ankujgupta · Answer

Thus plankton cause the surface of the Earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton. Isn't this the conclusion of the argument and option B is kind of restatement of this ?

Adi93 · Answer

GMATNinja

Please help in answering this.

sobby · Answer

Answer have to be D ..
The whole argument is concentrated on adaptation of living organism by altering the environment ...Clouds , sunlight , reflection blah blah are used to show example ..
so A ,C,E is straight out .
B and D ..
D is the one that talks about altering of environment for survival ...

Chets25 · Answer

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environmentt in ways that aid their own survival. However,  this characteristic is actually quite common.  Certain species of plankton, for example generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulphate. These particles cause water vapor to condense,thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presense of these particles.More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the earth absorbs less heat.Thus plankton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.

What is the main conclusion of the above statements?

a.Plakton cause the surface of the earth to be cooler. -  Not a conclusion 
b.It is well known that many species adapt to their environment -  Quite tempting, but its not the conclusion 
c.The formation of clouds depends on the presense of sulphate particles in the atmosphere. -  Not a conclusion 
d.The characteristic of species altering their environmentt in ways that aid their own survival actually quite common-  exactly matches the bold portion, which is the conclusion of the argument. Correct 
e.Certain planktons aid in the formation of clouds - Nope

Correct Choice:  D

ScottWalsh · Answer

"It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristic is actually quite common."

Then we read about plankton (not a highly evolved species) that does the same thing. Answer C should jump out because plankton alter their enviornment to aid their own survival and they are not a highly evolved species. Therefore, that behavior is not limited to highly evolved species.

sallysea · Answer

Merged topics. Please, search before posting questions!

GMATNinjaTwo · Answer

Thanks for the replies!

To post additional questions not already addressed in this thread, feel free to use the  request verbal experts' reply  button.

straykid · Answer

This is from an old LSAT, specifically prep test 29. The answer was C, and C says "Improving their chance of survival by altering the environment...."

VerbalBot · Answer

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It is well known that many species adapt to their environment

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