Climatologist: Over the coming century, winter temperatures are likely to increase in the Rocky Mountains due to glob...

Zahra on July 14, 2018

I was also stuck between B and C.

Mehran on July 14, 2018

Hi @rmkrutz@crimson.ua.edu, @Zahra, thanks for your posts.

Let's first assess the stimulus. It presents an argument, the conclusion of which is "the mountain snowpack will probably melt more rapidly and earlier in the season, leading to greater spring flooding and less storage water to meet summer demands."

What support is provided for this conclusion? These premises: (1) over the coming century, winter temperatures are likely to increase in the Rocky Mountains due to global warming, and (2) this will cause a greater proportion of precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow.

Answer choice (B) addresses both aspects of the conclusion (greater spring flooding and less storable water), whereas answer choice (C) addresses only one (less storable water). Moreover, answer choice (B) addresses the cause identified in the stimulus (melting of snowpacks), whereas answer choice (C) speaks in more general terms (relatively mild winters).

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions.