SAT #17 Reading (Question 43)

Question

Which choice provides the best support for the claim that the impact hypothesis is not the only possible explanation for the sudden change in Earth’s climate?

Answer 1

Answer Choice B is the correct answer because Lines 15-17 say, “A change in ocean circulation is generally thought to have brought about the onset of the millenium-long cooling, which is known as the Younger Dryas.” These Lines tell us about one of the “leading hypotheses [that] explain each of these three events” mentioned in Lines 13-14, and most clearly tell us that “the impact hypothesis is not the only possible explanation for the sudden change in Earth’s climate.” Answer Choice A is incorrect because it only explains the logic behind those who believe in the impact hypothesis. Answer Choice C is incorrect because it only explains how new evidence supports the impact hypothesis, but doesn’t suggest the existence of other possible explanatory theories. Answer Choice D is incorrect because it only continues the explanation of how new evidence supports the impact hypothesis, and doesn’t suggest the existence of any other possible explanatory hypotheses.