Which statement is not supported by the material?

• A. An increase in solar output is partially responsible for recent warming.
• B. Rising greenhouse gases alter radiative equilibrium by absorbing more radiation from Earth's surface, thus making Earth warmer.
• C. Since 1950, global oil consumption has increased and global oil discovery has decreased.
• D. A drainage basin is the area that provides water to a given river

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that recent warming is driven mainly by greenhouse gases trapping heat, not by changes in solar output. The material describes how increasing CO2 and other greenhouse gases alter the radiative balance by absorbing infrared radiation emitted from Earth, which makes the surface and lower atmosphere warmer. In contrast, the Sun’s energy input has remained relatively stable over recent decades, with only modest natural variations that are far smaller in effect than the rapid rise in greenhouse gases. Because solar forcing is small compared with the big boost from human-caused greenhouse gases, the statement that solar output partly explains the recent warming isn’t supported by the material. The other statements fit the material well: increasing greenhouse gases change radiative equilibrium and warm the planet; since 1950 oil consumption has risen while discoveries have not kept pace; and a drainage basin is defined as the area that provides water to a given river.