Information and IdeasVery hardFinding that weakens a causal claim
Information and Ideas practice question
A biologist claims that the sharp decline in a lake's trout population over the past decade was caused by rising water temperature.
Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the biologist's claim?
- A. Trout numbers fell just as sharply over the same decade in a neighbouring lake whose water temperature did not change.Correct
- B. Trout thrive in cold water and struggle when water warms.
- C. The lake's average temperature has risen by two degrees over the decade.
- D. Anglers on the lake report catching far fewer trout than they used to.
Answer: A. Trout numbers fell just as sharply over the same decade in a neighbouring lake whose water temperature did not change.
If the same decline happened where temperature stayed the same, temperature can't be the whole explanation — something else may be driving both declines.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Trout thrive in cold water and struggle when water warms.
- This SUPPORTS the claim: warming would harm trout.
- C. The lake's average temperature has risen by two degrees over the decade.
- This supports the claim by confirming the warming happened.
- D. Anglers on the lake report catching far fewer trout than they used to.
- This confirms the decline but says nothing about its cause.
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