4. Gasoline-powered boat engines manufactured in the North American country prior to 1990 contribute significantly to the pollution found in the world’s oceans. In 1990, however, the government imposed stricter pollution controls on gasoline engines manufactured for boats, and beginning in 1995, the government imposed a program of inspections for pre-1990 boat engines with increasingly rigorous pollution standards. <As the older boat engines fail to pass inspection, boat owners are increasingly retiring their old engines in favor of newer, less-polluting boat engines.> As a result, <the amount of pollution these older boat engines emit into the world’s oceans will steadily decrease over the next en years>.

The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as an evidence in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that can be drawn from this argument.
B. The first is a fact that acts as a principle in support of this argument; the second is the conclusion that must be drawn from this argument.
C. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as an special evidence in support of the conclusion; the second is a general point that can be drawn from this argument.
D. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that acts as the third evidence in support of the argument; the second is a conclusion that must be true.
E. The first is a final evidence in support of the argument; the second is a conclusion that can be drawn only from the first

I guess it's E. What do you think?

I would also go with A
E is wrond because its not the evidence of the argument'

I would have gone for (D) had the figure of "ten year" been not mentioned in the conclusion. (I presume it is "ten years" where it says "over the next en years")

IMO (A) is best among the given choices.

I would prefer... A

E = wrong cos it takes to extremes when it tells'' final evidence'' and the second is the conclusion can b drawn ONLY from THE first

hope that helps

Have fun...
_________________

the whole worldmakes way for the man who knows wer he's going... good luck

how exactly do you define a 'principle' in these type of problems?

I think it's A. It's not a final evidence but a cause and effect (cause = pollution, effect = stringent controls and checks resulting in engines being changes) that acts as an evidence. The second is a conclusion drawn from this argument

Hi Paul - I think what was being asked was ...Have you got an approach or methodology for these BOLD FACE questions ..thank you...

which doesnt involved premise - consideration - evident - assumption ...these all mean the same thing
thanks