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Bunuel
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.

 
Show more
­
To determine : Why the ban on single use plastics are not ineffective

A - The passage compares the plastic debris from this year to last year. This addresses the entire decade. Not helpful.

B - This option speaks for itself on why it is irrelevant.

C - Same as A : no comparison between this year and last.

D - This point is helpful. If more debris than usual has washed up to the shores, the debris might be an accumulation over the last couple of years. So, it is possible that the plastic waste from this year is lesser than from last year. The ban on single use plastic could have contributed to the decline in waste production.

E - Same as B - the point is irrelevant.


OPTION D­
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Bunuel
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.


­
 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
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­
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Despite bleak evidence of presence of single-use plastic on beaches, scientists still believe that plastic bans are not ineffective.

We need to find an statement that most strongly supports this, only A supports this head on by saying that the production itself of single- use plastics has decreased and that in some way, these bans are showing effect.

A is correct.

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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 10): Recent studies show that despite Updated on: 20 Jul 2024, 07:14
Originally posted by rsrobin864 on 19 Jul 2024, 18:19.
Last edited by rsrobin864 on 20 Jul 2024, 07:14, edited 1 time in total.
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­A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade--does not take into account the impact on beach debris and even suggest that bans should have a noticeable effect.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.--doesn't explain why the bans are still seen as potentially effective.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.---it supports the existence of the bans but does not explain the lack of immediate impact on beach debris.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.--Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.-- not concerned with the plastic persistence

Ans is D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.­
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­A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
INCORRECT It doesn't explain what is happening in the beaches.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
INCORRECT It doesn't say if this variation in positive (bans are ineffective) or negative (bans are effective).

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
INCORRECT It doesn't explain what is happening in the beaches.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
INCORRECT The consistent volume of plastic waste we found the past year compared to the previous year. What is happening this year is not relevant.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
CORRECT Plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year may not be due to plastic waste produced last year, but rather that produced many years earlier. The effect of today's bans will be seen in the future, not immediately.

IMO E
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­A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
it does not explain why the volume of plastic waste on beaches remains unchanged
B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
does not directly address the volume of waste found on beaches
C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
Same as above. 
D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
This provides a specific reason for the increased or unchanged volume of plastic waste on beaches, despite bans
E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
does not explain why the beach waste has not decreased­
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Quote:
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing­.
Show more
Scientists are aware that the decades-long buildup of plastic pollution in our seas has reached a point where every ocean current is carrying the plastic waste to coasts, albeit in varying quantities, as the article's final line, "Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective," makes clear.


(A) is dropped since, even if plastic production has decreased during the last ten years, it will not make up for the pollution from the decade prior or the decade before that.

Because of the statistical nuance, (B) is out of scope and useless in this situation.

Since the reasoning of recent years is insufficient for earlier decades, option (C) is eliminated.

Since decomposition is not our basis for establishing it as proof of a consistent volume of plastic during beach cleanups, (E) is likewise outside the scope.

The answer to the question is, therefore, (D).­
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Bunuel
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.


­
 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT Club Olympics Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 

­
Show more
(D) Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

This statement offers a plausible explanation for why the observed data (consistent volume of plastic waste on beaches) does not necessarily indicate the ineffectiveness of the bans. It suggests that external factors, like unusual ocean currents, could be influencing the amount of debris reaching the beaches, thus explaining why scientists have not deemed the bans ineffective.

­
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Quote:
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?
Show more
A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
- Irrelevant. We are talking about bans and their effects.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
- This is close, but not correct. The produced waste might vary, but we expect it be reduced after the ban, and also, this doesn't directly attack the conclusion.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
- Irrelevant. This doesn't talk about the effects.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
- This is correct. The alternate explanation is what resolves our paradox.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
- This is again, irrelevant.
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ANS LETTER
E

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
INCORRECT
it is irrelevant since this doesn't explain why the amount of plastic debris in the clean ups on beaches didn't decrease.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
INCORRECT
This is just info about the behavior of plastic waste but not give a reason why.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
INCORRECT
This also confirms that other country has adopted strict regulations but not how is related with the amount of deberis in the clean ups on beaches.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
INCORRECT
As we do not have information about the type of debris this currents brought.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
CORRECT
This would explain why the amount of plastic debris didn't decrease. It is important to notice that the text says "not decreased", it doesn't say "increased", so it means it keep equal then a plausible reason is because plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.

ANS LETTER
E­
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Find a reason that explains why the observed lack of decrease in plastic waste does not necessarily mean that the bans are failing

A) supports the idea that efforts to reduce plastic waste have been good. However, it does not directly address why the bans might not have led to observable decreases in beach plastic

B) variation is not relevant.

C) does not directly addresses the conclusion

D) the plastic waste on beaches might not have decreased despite the bans. Correct

E) explains why plastic waste is a long-term problem but not why recent bans might still be effective

Ans: D
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­Despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased.
However, Environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Let's analyze the options to find the option with the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings:

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade. - Strengthens the result of the glopal efforts but doesn't answer the presence of plastic debris on beaches.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year. - Doesn't conclude about the results, i.e.:, reduction or increse in plastic waste, also the presence of plastic debris on beaches.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years. - Doesn't answer the presence of plastic debris on beaches.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual. - Plastic is present in the environment and this option directly provides the answer about the presence of plastic debris on beaches, eventhough the production and consumption is reducing due to global efforts.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing. - This says that plastic produced or used earlier will be present, but doesn't answer the presence of plastic debris on beaches.

Correct Option: D
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Quote:
Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
Show more

We need to find the best strengthener.
The conclusion: environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.
The evidence: volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year
has not decreased.

A. Out of scope (The production of single-use plastics)
B. Out of scope
C. Doesn't address the reality
D. Bingo! It explains why the waste has not decreased though the ban may be effective.
E. Out of scope
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A,B and C are out of context. Out of D and E, E has a more valid reason for scientists conclusion that bans are not ineffective as the debris of previous plastic waste still persists and takes time to decompose.

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There is a bna of single-use plastics, but no decrease in the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches. Still, scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective. Why there is no decrease then?
A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
why the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased? does not answer
B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
does not explain
C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
eliminate
D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
this explains why there were no decrease in the amount of plastic debris
E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
option D shows how debris reached coastal areas
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Argument says despite global efforts to ban single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris on beaches has not decreased. Based on the evendence of the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. However, scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective. 

To determine which option provides the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings, lets evaluate each option.

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade. - Irrelevant to argument. I think reduction in production of plastics has nothing to do with the persistence of existing plastic waste.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year. - Side tracks - because it doesn't says anything about waste on beaches. 

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years. - Again same as B as it doesnt address anything plastic waste found during beach cleanups.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual. - This is actually could have been good option if there was another word instead of "This year" Because it limits the scope of argument, as argument specifically talks "...Based on the evendence of the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year..." Which makes it less good IMO. If strong currents were only a factor this year, it wouldn't account for consistent debris levels across multiple years. So Eliminated.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing. - Correct - It suggests that the impact of the bans may not be immediately observable due to the long-lasting nature of plastic waste already in the ocean. Perfect. This is our answer.

Answer is E.
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Studies: As much waste winds up on the beaches as before -> banning single-use plastics doesn't work
However, scientists disagree - which means that we're looking for some explanation of non-reduction in plastics volume, even if the bans are effective and people reduced their consumption.

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.
Not helpful, because why do we still find waste on the beaches? Eliminate.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.
This is otu of scope, because it sheds no light on how much plastic there is and whether the bans are effective. Eliminate.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.
This doesn't address the findings of much plastic on the beach. Eliminate.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.
This seems correct, because it may explain why, although we use less plastic, the same amount winds up on shore.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.
Sad but completely irrelevant. An important reminder though :( Eliminate.

The right answer is D.­
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Given :

Claim- ­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased.

Claim Evidence- The consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year.

Conclusion - Environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Pre-thinking - Environmental scientist know something which argument does not talk about. this can be the difference b/w past year & previous year. Let’s find that in arguments.

Options :

A. Production is not in scope.
B. General statement
C. Already given in passage (nothing new)
D. Strong Currents brought More debris brought this year as compared to past years (bingo)- Correct
E. how long decomposing will take in ocean is not we are looking for

Ans-D
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Bunuel
­Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.


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The statement is scientists have not concluded that bans on single-use plastics are ineffective despite the consistent volume of plastic waste found on beaches.
NOW,we have to find a reason that explains why this is the reason.

The strongest reason we can find that it is not dependent on banning but some other reason.

Option D states: "Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual."

This would provide the strongest reason of scientists because it suggests that other factors have influenced the amount of debris washing up on beaches, than than the effectiveness of the bans on single-use plastics.

Thus, the answer is:

**D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.**

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The answer is E
The stem states that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. But, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.
we need to find a statement to provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings

A states that production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade. This information is already reiterated in the stem but does not explain the reason for the growing volume of plastic waste found in beach cleanups

B states that the amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year. However this does not explain the consistent rise in plastic waste found in beach cleanups

C states that many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.However this does not explain the reason for growing plastic waste

D states that strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual. This could be the cause of the current phenomenon but still does not explain the consistent rise in plastic waste

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing. this is the correct choice as it explains the cause of the consistent rise in plastic waste in beach cleanups.
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Recent studies show that despite global efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics, the amount of plastic debris washing up on beaches has not decreased. Evidence of this is the consistent volume of plastic waste found during beach cleanups over the past year compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, environmental scientists have not concluded that these bans are ineffective.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the strongest reason for the scientists' reaction to the findings?

to to prove: these bans are effective,

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years.

D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.


Since plastic waste can persist in ocean environment, for hundred of years the impact of the ban may only be visible after a longer period. Hence option E maybe considered.

Option A states that the production has reduced significantly, but still the beaches are not clear of single use plastic. Does not make much of sense, eliminate.

Option B states Production amount is not fixed, hence beaches are not clear. There is no direct correlation between the two, hence eliminate

Option C states many countries have implemented strict regulations Against single use plastics still beaches are not clear again. Does not make much of sense, eliminate

Option D suggest that these states that since there is more amount of depress that has come with ocean currents, hence amount of single use plastic is more which intern suggests that ban is ineffective eliminate
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