PT154 S3 P4 Q27 ExplanationInternational Environmental Conflicts

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Correct54% picked this

   the extent to which the actions of nations conform to principles of customary

   Why this is right

   We can make this answer work if we think of the final sentence of the 2nd paragraph as referring to the sentence prior. The 2nd to last sentence of that 2nd paragraph says, many supposed norms, including the two 'principles of customary international environmental law' (transboundary harm / precautionary principle), do not reflect the actual behavior of many nations. That sentence is saying that the actions of nations do not conform to the principles of customary international environmental law (the transboundary harm / precautionary principle). And the following clause is "Although systematic empirical studies are lacking". So apparently that clause was referring to the previous clause, not the final clause of the 2nd paragraph. An although clause like the one we're looking at can potentially refer backwards or forwards. For example (referring backwards): Some people think that rain causes arthritis to be worse. Although systematic empirical studies are lacking, my grandpa always complains about his knee on rainy days. (referring forwards) My grandpa always complains about his knee on rainy days. Although systematic empirical studies are lacking, some people think that rain causes arthritis to be worse. In the case of this sentence, it seems ambiguous whether the although clause it meant to refer forward or backwards, but this answer ends up being the only viable option we have.

   Skill tested: Locate Detail · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

   54%
2. B

   Out of Scope: proportion of disputes9% picked this

   the proportion of international environmental disputes that are remedied by treaties and negotiations as compared with those that are remedied by the

   The author isn't saying anything in this area about wishing we had data on what percentage of disputes used treaties/negotiations and what percentage applied customary I.E. law. The author is saying we don't have data on how much countries violate the transboundary harm principle they supposedly follow.

   9%
3. C

   Out of Scope: success of remedies11% picked this

   the relative success rates of different attempted legal remedies for the problem of

   The author isn't saying anything in this area about legal remedies. The author is saying we don't have data on how much countries violate the transboundary harm principle they supposedly follow by allowing harmful pollutants to cross international borders.

   11%
4. D

   Out of Scope: treaties21% picked this

   the extent to which the pollution currently crossing international boundaries is in violation of

   The author isn't saying anything in this area about treaties. She doesn't bring up treaties until the 4th paragraph. This paragraph is just talking about countries not following the principles they purportedly adhere to, allowing pollution to cross borders into other countries.

   21%
5. E

   Out of Scope: scholarly agreement5% picked this

   the extent to which scholars of international environmental law agree about which principles are norms of

   The author isn't saying anything in this area about wishing we had data on how much scholars agree / disagree on what the exact principles are that qualify as norms of customary international law. The surrounding details are just talking about the extent to which nations allow pollutants to cross international borders while espousing their belief in the principle of transboundary harm.

   5%