Argument Evaluation Questions - - Question 3

George: Some scientists say that global warming will occur because people are releasing large amounts of carbon dioxi...

KDA86 August 7, 2014

Please Explain

Please explain the correct answer.

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Naz August 8, 2014

Alright, so George first cites "some scientists" who believe that global warming will occur due to people releasing large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere through burning trees and fossil fuels. Then George says "We can see, THOUGH, that the predicted warming is occurring already." He then gives current examples of "predicted warming" in "our area."

George's unstated conclusion (which can be inferred from his use of the contradictory indicator word, "though") is that these scientists are wrong in stating that the large release of CO2 caused by people burning trees and fossil fuels will bring about global warming because it is already occurring.

However, just because "our town" has seen a few instances of the "predicted warming" does not necessarily mean that "global warming" has occurred. Global warming should be "global." So, it would be most helpful in evaluating the conclusion of George's argument if we knew whether this warming was occurring in other places around the world or whether the "predicated warming" seen in "our town" were merely a couple random occurrences, i.e. answer choice (E) "whether unusually warm weather is occurring elsewhere on the globe more frequently than before."

Hope that was helpful! Please let us know if you have any other questions.