Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyIdentifying the Apparent Discrepancy

Over the past year, Lake Crescent has seen a massive increase in its algae population. However, biologists note that algae typically require warm, stagnant water to thrive, and over the past year Lake Crescent has experienced unusually cold temperatures and strong, continuous currents.

Which one of the following best identifies the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

  1. A
    The unusually cold temperatures and strong currents in Lake Crescent directly caused the algae population to increase.
  2. B
    Lake Crescent's algae population consists of a newly discovered species that specifically thrives in cold, rapidly moving water.
  3. The algae population in Lake Crescent grew substantially even though the lake's environmental conditions were highly unfavorable for such growth.Answer
  4. D
    Algae typically require warm, stagnant water in order to survive and increase in population.
  5. E
    Every lake that experiences unusually cold temperatures and strong currents will also experience a massive increase in algae.

Answer

The option stating that the algae population grew substantially even though the lake's environmental conditions were highly unfavorable for such growth.
The correct answer accurately encapsulates both contrasting facts presented in the stimulus: the fact that the algae population increased, and the fact that the lake's conditions were exactly the opposite of what algae typically need. It successfully isolates the point of tension without adding outside information or attempting to solve the mystery.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus to extract the factual premises.
Fact 1: The algae population increased massively. Fact 2: The lake had cold, moving water, but algae generally require warm, stagnant water to thrive.
Identifying a discrepancy requires breaking the stimulus down into its conflicting components.
2
Determine the precise point of logical tension.
The conflict is that an organism thrived in an environment that should have prevented its growth.
Understanding the exact nature of the contradiction helps in eliminating answers that miss the core issue.
3
Evaluate the options to find the one that simply states this conflict without attempting to explain or resolve it.
The correct option plainly contrasts the massive growth with the unfavorable conditions, matching the logical tension perfectly.
In 'Identify the Discrepancy' questions, correct answers isolate the paradox; incorrect answers often attempt to resolve it or state only one side of the issue.

Key Concept

Identifying the Apparent Discrepancy
Rate this question

Topics

Identifying the Apparent Discrepancy

More questions from this topic