16Hit1600
Expression of IdeasVery hardConveying uncertainty about a cause

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: - A lake's water level has dropped two metres over ten years. - Rainfall in the catchment has fallen by 8% over the same period. - A new farm irrigation scheme began drawing from the lake's inflow river six years ago. - Hydrologists have not yet separated the two effects.

The student wants to describe the lake's decline while making clear that its cause is not settled. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. The lake has dropped two metres in ten years, but whether the cause is the 8% fall in rainfall or the irrigation scheme that began drawing on its inflow six years ago, hydrologists have not yet determined.Correct
  2. B. The lake has dropped two metres because of irrigation.
  3. C. Rainfall has fallen by 8%.
  4. D. The lake's level has dropped two metres.

Answer: A. The lake has dropped two metres in ten years, but whether the cause is the 8% fall in rainfall or the irrigation scheme that began drawing on its inflow six years ago, hydrologists have not yet determined.

The decline, both candidate causes, and the open question.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The lake has dropped two metres because of irrigation.
Settles the cause the notes say is unsettled.
C. Rainfall has fallen by 8%.
One candidate cause, no decline.
D. The lake's level has dropped two metres.
The decline with no discussion of cause.

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