Columnist: The amount of acidic pollutants

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct60% picked this

   Some ecosystems have developed sophisticated mechanisms that reduce the negative effects of increased levels of

   Why this is right

   This is the opposite of what we want. It sounds like there might be less damage.

   Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   60%
2. B

   Weakens10% picked this

   The amount of acid-neutralizing buffers released into the air has decreased

   Even though we’re releasing less pollutants, the damage could be the same/worse because the protective shields are weaker than before.

   10%
3. C

   Weakens11% picked this

   The current decrease in acidic pollutants is expected to end soon, as more countries turn to coal for

   Countries will soon be releasing more pollutants than they currently are, so the damage is likely to be the same/worse.

   11%
4. D

   Weakens10% picked this

   The effects of acid rain are cumulative and largely independent of current

   The more acid rain you add, the worse the damage becomes. It’s kind of like if you stabbed me five times with a big knife, and now you start stabbing me with a smaller knife – even though the current attacks are smaller, you are still adding damage and possibly going to cause my death. Not to mention, I’m still bleeding from those previous wounds. Your milder attacks haven’t done anything to repair the damage you already started.

   10%
5. E

   Weakens9% picked this

   The soils of many ecosystems exposed to acid rain have been exhausted of minerals that help protect them

   Just like choice B, even though we’re releasing less pollutants, the damage could be the same/worse because the protective shields are weaker than before.

   9%