Taku wrote:
One variety of partially biodegradable plastic beverage container is manufactured from small bits of plastic bound together by a degradable bonding agent such as cornstarch. Since only the bonding agent degrades, leaving the small bits of plastic, no less plastic refuse per container is produced when such containers are discarded than when comparable nonbiodegradable containers are discarded.
Q.Which of the following, if true , most strengthens the argument above?
A. Both partially biodegradable and nonbiodegradable plastic beverage containers can be crushed completely flat by refuse compactors.
B. The partially biodegradable plastic beverage containers are made with more plastic than comparable nonbiodegradable ones in order to compensate for the weakening effect of the bounding agents.
C. Many consumers are ecology-minded and prefer to buy a product sold in the partially biodegradable plastic beverage containers rather than in nonbiodegradable containers, even if the price is higher.
D. The manufacturing process for the partially biodegradable plastic beverage containers results in less plastic waste than the manufacturing process for nonbiodegradable plastic beverage containers.
E. Technological problems with recycling currently prevent the reuse as food or beverage containers of the plastic from either type of plastic beverage container.
From the first statement, if seems that partially biodegradable plastic container leaves less plastic refuse than the comparable nonbiodegradable container. However, the assertion in the last sentence of the argument is opposite to the apparent implication of first sentence. This could be possible if, for some reason, partially biodegradable plastic containers are made with more plastic than the comparable nonbiodegradable containers.
A) Out of scope. This statement does not provide any information on how the plastic refuse from partially biodegradable plastic container can be equal or more than that from comparable nonbiodegradable container.
B)
Correct. This statement conveys that partially biodegradable plastic containers contain more plastic than comparable nonbiodegradable ones.
C) Out of scope. Consumers' preference has no significance on the comparison between comparable partially biodegradable and nonbiodegradable container's plastic refuses. First of, preference does not mean it is happening in reality. Secondly, even if it is happening in reality, consumers' preference may affect the total number of partially biodegradable plastic containers whereas our concern is to compare the plastic refuse of one unit of partially biodegradable container with the plastic refuse of one unit of comparable nonbiodegradable container.
D) Out of scope. First of all, the argument is focused on disposal of plastic containers and not manufacturing of plastic containers. Secondly, we are concerned about plastic refuse after disposal of the bottles and not the plastic wastes during manufacturing.
E) Out of scope. This statement does not provide any information on how the plastic refuse from partially biodegradable plastic container can be equal or more than that from comparable nonbiodegradable container. This statement is concerned about discontinuation of recycling and that is equally applicable to biodegradable and nonbiodegradable containers.
Correct answer is B.
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81% (02:15) correct
