Sorry for posting this CR again, I know it has been discussed a lot but I can t agree with the OA. In my view , A has to be assumed else the argument falls apart. Here is my explanation:

regulations on local industry increase number of birds

similar regulations in other major cities -> that means, regulations on local industry are expected to have the same effect as in London -> increase number of birds

What if the pollution is not caused by the local industry? The plan of implementing the regulations would be flawed .

Can someone help me on this one?



In the years since the city of London imposed strict air-pollution regulations on local industry, the number of bird species seen in and around London has increased dramatically. Similar air-pollution rules should be imposed in other major cities.
Each of the following is an assumption made in the argument above EXCEPT:
(A) In most major cities, air-pollution problems are caused almost entirely by local industry.
(B) Air-pollution regulations on industry have a significant impact on the quality of the air.
(C) The air-pollution problems of other major cities are basically similar to those once suffered by London.
(D) An increase in the number of bird species in and around a city is desirable
(E) The increased sightings of bird species in and around London reflect an actual increase in the number of species in the area.

I agree that A is a bit too extreme but that the only thing that speaks for A ... in B , air quality is not mentioned in the passage...why is B wrong then?

This is what I thought.
It is an assumption question by analogy. Just because London saw an increase in the bird sightings with tighter controls on air regulations, the conclusion is that the other cities would also see a similar increase with tighter controls being applied. But the tighter controls is on the local industry and the assumption is air-pollution problems are caused almost entirely by local industry.

The use of extreme language is reduced by using the word almost entirely as opposed to entirely.

I like A. Would be interested in knowing what is the OA?

axl_oz

OA is A - I can t agree with it

I would go for A either. The question asks EXCEPT, thus, we need to find an assumption that couldn't be made in the question. A represents the only assumption that is not necessary to reach a conclusion.
a) In most major cities, air-pollution problems are caused almost entirely by local industry.
In order to increase the number of birds, reduction in local industry polution is needed. It means that local industry polution might be one of the major causes of polluted air in the city, but not necessarily the main one. The main cause of pollution and birds population increase has nothing to do with each other.
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brainstorm