Antinuclear activist: The closing

Answer choices

1. A

   Opposite (if anything)9% picked this

   The plant had reached the age at which its operating

   The plant reaching the age at which its operating license expired does not specifically point to safety concerns or antinuclear activism influencing the closure. Therefore, this provides no direct support to the activist's claim. If anything, it suggests an alternate explanation for the closure (they couldn't / wouldn't renew their license).

   9%
2. B

   Correct78% picked this

   The mandate for inspections and repairs mentioned by the manager was recently enacted as a result of

   Why this is right

   This aligns with the activist's interpretation, as it shows that the activist groups had indeed influenced the safety mandates, contributing to the economic factors that led to the closure. This strengthens the activist's claim that the closure was a victory for their cause. It allows both people to be right. Economic considerations were the direct cause of closure, but since pressure from antinuclear groups led to mandated inspections and repairs, they caused economic considerations and thus were an indirect cause of closure. Pressure >> new, $$$ safety measures >> plant went broke and closed It also somewhat supports the idea that the plants can't (afford to) operate safely.

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

   78%
3. C

   Opposite Impact4% picked this

   The plant would not have closed if cheap power from nonnuclear sources had

   This supports the manager's economic explanation (people didn't want to buy nuclear power when alternative sources were cheaper) and does not provide evidence for the activist’s claim regarding safety concerns.

   4%
4. D

   Opposite Impact3% picked this

   Per unit of electricity produced, the plant had the highest operating costs of any

   This supports the manager's economic explanation for the closure (costs were too high) and does not provide evidence for the activist’s claim regarding safety concerns.

   3%
5. E

   No Impact4% picked this

   The plant that closed had been able to provide backup power to an electrical network when parts of

   The plant's capacity to provide backup power does not pertain to its safety or the influence of the antinuclear activism on its closure. It instead deals with the plant's operational capabilities, which doesn’t address the activist's claim.

   4%