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What is the paradox? Previously, scientists had rejected a theory of flooding because scientists did not know of a process that could melt ice that quickly. But now, scientists accept the theory of flooding even though they still do not know of a process that could melt ice that quickly. We need to identify the answer choice that helps resolve the above paradox. Answer choice (E) does just this. It explains why the scientists would accept a theory that involved flooding, even if they still don't know of a process that could melt ice that quickly. If the prehistoric glacier dammed a source of water, which created a huge lake, then that water could have caused the sudden flooding. So, we have evidence supporting the flood theory while still having no idea what natural process could melt so much ice so quickly. Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Doesn't answer choice A offer a evidence toward why they would accept the theory? Why is A incorrect?

Hi @hallerae, thanks for your post. Answer choice (A) does not tell you anything about the pace of the cutting (gradual as the glacier melted over time, vs. rapidly by an enormous flood). Ripples, as described in answer choice (A), just show that the channels were cut by water - but don't tell us anything about how enough water might have passed over the rock rapidly via flood. Answer choice (E), by contrast, does this. Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.