Question:

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.
Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?

Updated On: Aug 25, 2025
  • El Nino event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.
  • A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.
  • El Niño event did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.
  • The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.
  • Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine the best inference from the provided paragraph, we need to analyze the information given:

  • The paragraph mentions that 2019's global surface temperatures are on track to be the second or third warmest since the mid-1800s, only behind 2016 and potentially 2017.
  • It notes a long-term warming trend of global temperatures.
  • An El Niño event is stated to have bolstered temperatures in 2019, implying it has a temporary effect.

Considering these points, examine the options:

  1. El Nino event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term: The paragraph does not support this as it highlights the long-term warming trend separately from the short-term impact of El Niño.
  2. A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event: There is no comparative information between moderate and weak El Niño events in the paragraph.
  3. El Niño event did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017: The paragraph does not provide information on the influence of El Niño events for these years.
  4. The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño: This inference can be drawn as the paragraph delineates long-term warming and the temporary impact of an El Niño event.
  5. Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years: The statement fails to address constant rate or direct relation to three years.

The correct inference is that "The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño" because the paragraph describes the warming trend and an El Niño event's effects separately, suggesting no long-term causation between them.

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