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Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: 
Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.
Q. Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?
  • a)
    El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.
  • b)
    A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.
  • c)
    El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.
  • d)
    The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.
  • e)
    Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Gl...
From the passage, we can understand that El Niño is an event that has affected the global surface temperatures only in 2019 and that it is likely to persist through the rest of the year. So it is unlikely that it will have any long term effects.
There is no comparison of moderate and weak El Niño in the passage.
There is no mention of El Niño occurrence in 2016 and 2017, therefore, it would be incorrect to assume anything.
From the data given it is clear that in 2019 the temperature, though high, is less than that of 2016 and 2017 so it is not true that global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for the last three years.
Hence the correct option is D.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Gl...
The Answer Explained:

The paragraph states that global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. It also mentions that temperatures in 2019 have been influenced by a moderate El Niño event. Based on this information, we can infer the following:

1. The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño:
The paragraph mentions that the temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event. The fact that it specifically points out that this is a buoying effect suggests that the long-term trend of global surface temperatures is separate from the influence of El Niño events.

2. El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017:
The paragraph states that global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be the second or third warmest since records began, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. This implies that the temperatures in 2016 and possibly 2017 were not influenced by El Niño events, as they were warmer than 2019. Therefore, we can infer that El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.

3. Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years:
The paragraph mentions that global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be the second or third warmest since records began, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. This implies that global surface temperatures have been increasing over the past three years, with 2019 being warmer than previous years. Therefore, we can infer that global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.

Inference:
Based on the above information, the best inference is that the long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño events (Option D). This is supported by the fact that the paragraph specifically mentions the long-term warming trend being separate from the influence of the moderate El Niño event in 2019.
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During the frigid season...if s often necessary to nestle under a blanket to try to stay warm. The temperature difference between the blanket and the air outside is so palpable that we often have trouble leaving our warm refuge. Many plants and animals similarly hunker down, relying on snow cover for safety from winters harsh conditions. The small area between the snowpack and the ground, called the subnivium...might be the most important ecosystem that you have never heard of.The subnivium is so well-insulated and stable that its temperature holds steady at around 32 degree Fahrenheit (0 degree Celsius). Although that might still sound cold, a constant temperature of 32 degree Fahrenheit can often be 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the air temperature during the peak of winter. Because of this large temperature difference, a wide variety of species...depend on the subnivium for winter protection.For many organisms living in temperate and Arctic regions, the difference between being under the snow or outside it is a matter of life and death. Consequently, disruptions to the subnivium brought about by climate change will affect everything from population dynamics to nutrient cycling through the ecosystem.The formation and stability of the subnivium requires more than a few flurries. Winter ecologists have suggested that eight inches of snow is necessary to develop a stable layer of insulation. Depth is not the only factor, however. More accurately, the stability of the subnivium depends on the interaction between snow depth and snow density. Imagine being under a stack of blankets that are all flattened and pressed together. When compressed, the blankets essentially form one compacted layer. In contrast, when they are lightly placed on top of one another, their insulative capacity increases because the air pockets between them trap heat. Greater depths of low-density snow are therefore better at insulating the ground.Both depth and density of snow are sensitive to temperature. Scientists are now beginning to explore how climate change will affect the subnivium, as well as the species that depend on it. At first glance, warmer winters seem beneficial for species that have difficulty surviving subzero temperatures; however, as with most ecological phenomena, the consequences are not so straightforward. Research has shown that the snow season (the period when snow is more likely than rain) has become shorter since 1970. When rain falls on snow, it increases the density of the snow and reduces its insulative capacity. Therefore, even though winters are expected to become warmer overall from future climate change, the subnivium will tend to become colder and more variable with less protection from the above-ground temperatures.The effects of a colder subnivium are complex...For example, shrubs such as crowberry and alpine azalea that grow along the forest floor tend to block the wind and so retain higher depths of snow around them. This captured snow helps to keep soils insulated and in turn increases plant decomposition and nutrient release. In field experiments, researchers removed a portion of the snow cover to investigate the importance of the subniviums insulation. They found that soil frost in the snow-free area resulted in damage to plant roots and sometimes even the death of the plant.Q.In paragraph 1, the author uses blankets as a device to

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.Q. Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?a) El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.b) A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.c) El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.d) The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.e) Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.Q. Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?a) El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.b) A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.c) El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.d) The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.e) Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2024 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.Q. Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?a) El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.b) A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.c) El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.d) The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.e) Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.Q. Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?a) El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.b) A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.c) El Niño events did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.d) The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.e) Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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