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Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Must-Be-True Statements and Valid Deductions

A rare species of deep-sea sponge produces a chemical compound called sponzenol only when exposed to water temperatures below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}. In ocean regions where the water temperature is 4∘C4^\circ\text{C} or higher, these sponges never produce sponzenol. Marine researchers recently discovered a thriving colony of this sponge species in an uncharted trench in the South Pacific and confirmed that the sponges were actively producing sponzenol.

If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true on the basis of them?

  1. The water temperature in the uncharted trench where the sponges were discovered is below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.Answer
  2. B
    Deep-sea sponges cannot survive in ocean waters warmer than 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.
  3. C
    Any deep-sea sponge exposed to water temperatures below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C} will produce sponzenol.
  4. D
    Sponzenol is the only chemical compound produced by this species of deep-sea sponge.
  5. E
    If the water temperature in the trench rises above 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}, the sponge colony will immediately die.

Answer

The water temperature in the uncharted trench where the sponges were discovered is below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.
The stimulus establishes a strict condition: sponges produce sponzenol only when the water temperature is strictly below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}. Because researchers confirmed that the sponges in the trench were producing sponzenol, it must be true that the water temperature in that trench is below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the given conditional premise
Sponzenol production implies water temperature is below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C} (Production →\rightarrow Temperature <4∘C< 4^\circ\text{C}).
The stimulus specifies that sponges produce sponzenol ONLY WHEN exposed to temperatures below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.
2
Apply the factual premise from the stimulus
The sponges in the newly discovered trench are actively producing sponzenol.
This fact triggers the condition required for sponzenol production.
3
Deduce the necessary conclusion
The water in the trench must be below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}.
Since active production requires a temperature below 4∘C4^\circ\text{C}, this condition must be met.

Key Concept

Identifying Must-Be-True Statements and Valid Deductions
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Identifying Must-Be-True Statements and Valid Deductions

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