Question: Climatologist: Global warming is affecting snowfall throughout the state. In 2004, nearly 60% of all precipitation in our state was in the form of snow, whereas by 2009 that percentage had dropped to just 42%. At this rate, in 20-30 years, the state may have no snow at all.

The climatologist’s argument depends on which of the following assumptions?

(A) The percentages he cites will continue to decrease at a linear rate.
(B) Global warming will cease to be a factor in the state’s snowfall yields over the next 20-30 years.
(C) Global warming is not the only factor affecting the state’s snowfall yields over the past decade.
(D) The amount of precipitation in the state in 2009 was not significantly greater than it had been in 2004.
(E) The volume of rainfall, the other primary form of precipitation in the state, was not higher in 2004 than it was in 2009.

Answer: C
Explanation: In the GMAT section on critical thinking, you will be evaluated on your ability to analyze and think critically. To provide a coherent response, a person must possess a great deal of mental capacity.
To make a decision, each possibility must be thoroughly considered. Only one of the five options presented will be correct. To make the optimal decision, the candidate needs to consider numerous factors.
Given that, According to a climatologist, the state's snowfall is being impacted by global warming. Snow made up nearly 60% of all precipitation in our state in 2004, but by 2009, that number had fallen to only 42%. At this rate, the state might not have any snow at all in 20–30 years.
This question tests a typical GMAT data flaw: the fact that the percentage of total precipitation accounted for by snow has decreased does NOT imply that the actual volume of snowfall has decreased.
For instance, if total precipitation has doubled, snowfall has increased from 60/100 to 84/200. D reveals this weakness; if D is negated, it states that "the volume of precipitation in 2009 was much more than in 2004," indicating that the overall precipitation may have grown dramatically.
Observe the errors in trap replies A and E. In A, the ongoing trend does not need to be linear; if it were exponential, the conclusion would be even stronger.
And choice E actually performs the opposite of choice D; if negated, choice E states, "there was more precipitation in 2004 than in 2009," indicating that total precipitation (and thus snowfall) was significantly lower in 2009 than in 2004.

Let’s check the given choices -

A: Incorrect
It is an incorrect choice. The percentages are showing a decrease with time, but whether the rate is linear or not cannot be said. It is not given in the passage. Hence, we cannot decide whether the decline is linear or not. Hence, this choice is eliminated.

B: Incorrect
It is the wrong choice. It is absolutely wrong to say that global warming will cease to exist as a factor in this decline in precipitation. It is a major reason for the decline in snowfall. Hence, this choice is eliminated.

C: Correct
It is the correct choice. This clearly says that global warming is not the only factor in the declining snowfall in recent years.

D: Incorrect
It is an incorrect answer. For instance, if total precipitation has doubled, snowfall has increased from 60/100 to 84/200. This error is revealed by D, which when rebutted states that "the volume of precipitation in 2009 was much more than it was in 2004," indicating that the total amount of precipitation may have increased greatly. Hence it is incorrect.

E: Incorrect
It is an incorrect answer. Choice E actually accomplishes the reverse of choice D: if it is negated, E states that "there was more rainfall in 2004 than in 2009," demonstrating that the total amount of precipitation (and hence snowfall) was significantly lower in 2009.

“Climatologist: Global warming is affecting snowfall throughout the sta” – is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

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