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Any geological formation that features stalactites is composed primarily of limestone. Furthermore, any geological formation that is composed primarily of limestone is highly susceptible to acid rain degradation. The recently discovered Echo Caverns feature numerous stalactites.

Which of the following must be true based on the information above?

  1. A
    Any geological formation that is highly susceptible to acid rain degradation features stalactites.
  2. B
    Geological formations that do not feature stalactites are not composed primarily of limestone.
  3. The Echo Caverns are highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.Answer
  4. D
    The Echo Caverns are the only geological formation in the region highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.
  5. E
    Most geological formations composed primarily of limestone feature stalactites.

Answer

The Echo Caverns are highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.
The stimulus provides a direct chain of conditional logic. The first sentence establishes that having stalactites requires being composed of limestone. The second sentence establishes that being composed of limestone requires being highly susceptible to acid rain degradation. By linking these together, we deduce that having stalactites guarantees high susceptibility to acid rain degradation. Since we are told as a fact that the Echo Caverns feature stalactites, it logically and unavoidably follows that they are highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Translate the first sentence into a conditional statement.
If a formation has stalactites, then it is composed primarily of limestone.
To establish the first link in the logical chain.
2
Translate the second sentence into a conditional statement.
If a formation is composed primarily of limestone, then it is highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.
To establish the second link in the logical chain.
3
Combine the statements from steps 1 and 2.
If a formation has stalactites, then it is highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.
To form a transitive deduction bridging the two premises.
4
Apply the deduced rule to the specific case given in the stimulus.
Because Echo Caverns have stalactites, they must be highly susceptible to acid rain degradation.
To find the provable conclusion that matches one of the answer choices.

Key Concept

Chaining formal conditional statements to form valid transitive deductions.
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