Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 72%

Which of the following inferences from the passage is best classified as an assumption?

Rationale

Sea levels around the world are rising because water expands when it warms.

This statement is an assumption because it presupposes the relationship between temperature and water expansion without providing direct evidence from the passage. It is a foundational premise that underlies the argument about rising sea levels but is not explicitly stated as a fact.

A (Warming ocean waters will put all fishers out of business.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is too extreme and specific to be classified as an assumption. It makes a definitive prediction about the economic impact of warming waters on fishers, which is not necessarily implied or supported by the passage.

B (Sea levels around the world are rising because water expands when it warms.) CORRECT

This is the correct answer as it serves as an underlying assumption of the argument presented in the passage. It suggests a causal relationship between temperature increase and the expansion of water, which is crucial for understanding the implications of rising sea levels discussed in the text.

C (Ocean water is combining with water from melting land glaciers.) YOUR ANSWER

While this statement may be true, it cannot be classified as an assumption because it describes a specific process rather than a foundational premise. The passage does not require this information to establish its main argument about rising sea levels.

D (Rising sea levels are affecting coastlines and ecosystems in many places.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement reflects a consequence of rising sea levels rather than an assumption. It is an observation that could be supported by evidence in the passage, rather than a presupposition that supports the argument being made.

Conclusion

Inferences drawn from a passage often include assumptions that underlie the argument being made. In this case, the assumption that sea levels are rising due to the expansion of water when warmed is essential to understanding the implications discussed. Other options either state specific outcomes or processes without establishing the foundational premise required for the argument, thereby differentiating them from the correct choice.

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