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[LSAT_Padawan]

The question reads:

Scientist: Earth's average annual temperature has increased by about 0.5 degrees Celsius over the last century. This warming is primarily the result of the buildup of minor gases in the atmospehre, blocking the outward flow of heat from the planet.

Which one of the following, if true, would count as evidence against the scientist's explanation of Earth's warming?

(A) Only some of the minor gases whose presence in the atmosphere allegedly resulted in the phenomenon described by the scientist were produced by industrial pollution.
(B) Most of the warming occurred before 1940, while most of the buildup of minor gases in the atmosphere occurred after 1940.
(C) Over the last century, Earth received slightly more solar radiation in certain years than it did in others.
(D) Volcanic dust and other particles in the atmosphere reflect much of the Sun's radiation back into space before it can reach Earth's surface.
(E) The accumulation of minor gases in the atmosphere has been greater over the last century than at any other time in Earth's history.



I picked "D" because the question was asking for evidence against the scientist's explanation for Earth's warming. According to the stimulus, the premise was the Earth's temperature was increasing about "0.5 degrees Celsius over the last century" due to "the buildup of minor gases in the atmosphere blocking the outward flow of heat from the planet." So, in other words the heat cannot dissipate because of the minor gases. Answer choice "D" provides an alternate explanation. I guess I sort of understand why I got it wrong because it is the opposite answer--it states the "volcanic dust and other particles in the atmosphere is reflecting much of the Sun's radiation back into space before it can reach Earth's surface." The correct answer is B--"Most of the warming occurred before 1940, while most of the buildup of minor gases in the atmosphere occurred after 1940." I don't see how this is provides evidence contrary to the scientist's claim. The years before 1940 and after 1940 are within the last century, seeing how it's the year 2010.

Any enlightenment would be helpful. Thanks!

[reasonabledoubt]

I think this is a flame to sell LSAT prep materials b/c the question is so obviously easy. You're either joking or selling. Which is it?

[LSAT_Padawan]

Huh? I asking for help. No need to be cynical. As Conan O'Brien once said on his last talk show on NBC, "I distain cynicism...If you work hard and you are nice, great things will happen to you."

[LSAT_Padawan]

Any help? Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

[mreocc]

If the warming occurred before 1940 but the build-up of gases occurred after 1940, the the build up of gases could not have caused the warming. In order for the gases to have caused the warming they would of had to happen before or during the warming, not after it.

[LSAT_Padawan]

Duh. I read it wrong. Thanks! I was ultrafocused on the dates and neglected to read what the content actually stated. Thank you mreocc.