Information and IdeasHardEvidence for a claim about a cause
Information and Ideas practice question
A biologist claims that the decline of the river's mussels was caused by silt from a quarry upstream rather than by pollution from a factory downstream.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the biologist's claim?
- A. Mussel beds between the quarry and the factory declined as sharply as those below the factory, while beds above the quarry were unaffected.Correct
- B. The factory discharges warm water into the river.
- C. Mussels are sensitive to changes in water quality.
- D. The quarry opened in the same decade as the factory.
Answer: A. Mussel beds between the quarry and the factory declined as sharply as those below the factory, while beds above the quarry were unaffected.
Decline everywhere below the quarry, including where the factory could not reach.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The factory discharges warm water into the river.
- About the factory, and not decisive either way.
- C. Mussels are sensitive to changes in water quality.
- True of both explanations.
- D. The quarry opened in the same decade as the factory.
- Timing cannot separate the two causes.
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