Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S1 · Q24 Columnist: The amount of acidic pollutants

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Columnist: The amount of acidic pollutants released into the air has decreased throughout the world over the last several decades.

Conclusion (then)

We can expect a decrease in the bad environmental effects of acid rain.

Evidence

Acid rain is caused by acidic pollutants, and the amount of those released into the air has decreased over the last few decades.

Evaluation

If we’re releasing less acidic pollutants into the air, how could we argue that the environmental damage caused by acid rain will not go down? Well one way would be to say that even though we’re releasing a smaller amount, perhaps it’s of a worse type. A small amount of something really bad could do more damage than a larger amount of something milder. Maybe there are thresholds of acid rain that we’ll hit that trigger worse events (the straw that finally broke the camel’s back).

Goal

Look for four answers that give us a way to argue that there will still be as much, or more, environmental damage coming, despite the fact that a smaller amount of acidic pollutants is being released.

24.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the columnist's argument EXCEPT:

  1. Correct

    Some ecosystems have developed sophisticated

    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.

    63% picked this

  2. The amount of acid-neutralizing buffers

    Weakens

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

    10% picked this

  3. The current decrease in acidic

    Weakens

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

    10% picked this

  4. The effects of acid rain

    Weakens

    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.

    9% picked this

  5. The soils of many ecosystems

    Weakens

    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.

    8% picked this

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