Logical Reasoning

PT133 · S3 · Q8 Energy analyst: During

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Energy analyst: During this record-breaking heat wave, air conditioner use has overloaded the region's electrical power grid, resulting in frequent power blackouts throughout the region.

Apparent Paradox

During this record-breaking heat wave, air conditioner use has overloaded the region's electrical power grid, resulting in frequent power blackouts throughout the region.

For this reason, residents have been asked to cut back voluntarily on air conditioner use in their homes.

But even if this request is heeded, blackouts will probably occur unless the heat wave abates.

Evaluate

Why would blackouts continue if residents were heed the request for residents to cut back on air conditioner use in their homes. This would be more likely the smaller the percentage of electricity that is used by residential homes. If most of the power is consumed by companies, then reducing residential consumption would have little impact on reducing the frequent power blackouts.

8.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

  1. Air-conditioning is not the only

    Deepens the Paradox

    This acknowledges that air-conditioning is a significant drain on the electrical system and so reducing one’s air conditioning use should have an impact on frequent blackouts.

    26% picked this

  2. Correct

    Most air-conditioning in the region

    Why this is right

    This points out the mechanism by which requesting residents to cut back on their electricity would not reduce the likelihood of frequent power blackouts.

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

    66% picked this

  3. Most air-conditioning systems could be

    Deepens the Paradox

    This acknowledges that air-conditioning is a significant drain on the electrical system and so reducing one’s air conditioning use should have an impact on frequent blackouts.

    1% picked this

  4. Residents of the region are

    Out of Scope

    The apparent discrepancy is about why residents heeding the call to reduce air conditioning would not have an impact on frequent blackouts.

    7% picked this

  5. The heat wave is expected

    Deepens the Paradox

    Why would reducing air conditioning use not impact the frequent power blackouts.

    0% picked this

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