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GRE Verbal Reasoning QUESTION #8148
Question 1
Observations show the Arctic Ocean loses more ice each summer than the previous one. If the trend continues, within 50 years the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free in summer. This alone would have little effect on sea levels, since floating ice melting does not raise water levels. However, serious consequences for sea levels would eventually result, because _______.
  • large masses of floating sea ice would continue to form each winter
  • significant Arctic temperature changes would be matched by changes in temperate ocean regions
  • such a warmed Arctic Ocean would trigger the melting of massive land-based glaciers in the Arctic✔️
  • an ice-free Arctic Ocean would support a very different ecosystem than it currently does
Correct Answer Explanation
The passage establishes that floating ice melting doesn't raise sea levels — but implies that something else would. The only logical completion is that the warmer Arctic Ocean would cause land-based glaciers to melt — and land ice melting DOES raise sea levels (water is added to the ocean from land). Option A just describes continued seasonal ice. Option B is about temperature, not sea level. Option D is ecological, not related to sea level.