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bb
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 10): Recent studies show that despite 20 Jul 2024, 08:49
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Purnank


Agree with this bb please reconsider these options again.
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.­
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­

Thank you. I see the reason you ruled out D.
"Over the past year" means in the last 12 months and it is a bit ambiguous when it says this year.
We can make D clearer and revise it to say "in the last 12 months" to be absolutely accurate.
I have gone ahead and given Kudos to those answers that brought up the "this year" vs. "over the past year" or anything remotely similar in their explanations while choosing E.

P.S. E is still not better because it does not say that plastic waste spends years in the ocean and results into consistent volume of debris on shore for hundreds or even 2 years. (E) It just says that plastic does not decompose for hundreds of years but we are not concerned with decomposing. If the bans were working there should be less of it this year washing up on shore. The consistent level is not explained by E.­
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Joined: 04 Dec 2002
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 10): Recent studies show that despite 20 Jul 2024, 09:05
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jack5397
bb no kudos is awarded on the post. Correct answer with elimination of other options is provided.
jack5397
IMO - D

Question type - find the paradox

A. The production of single-use plastics has been significantly reduced in most countries over the past decade. //Eliminate- Actually this option creates more doubt about the effectiveness of the ban if ban was implemented well then plastic on the shore should have reduced.

B. The amount of plastic waste produced annually varies significantly from year to year. // Eliminate - As this against gives no reason why scientists believe ban is effective.

C. Many countries have implemented strict regulations against the use of single-use plastics in the past few years. //Eliminate- Actually this option creates more doubt about the effectiveness of the ban if ban was implemented well then plastic on the shore should have reduced.


D. Strong ocean currents this year have carried more debris to coastal areas than usual.// Correct perfectly fits the situation.

E. Plastic waste can persist in the ocean environment for hundreds of years before decomposing.// Eliminate - Irrelevant because does not provide the reason if ban is effective or not.
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Thank you. Sorry, I did not feel like getting up at 6:15 on a Saturday so I gave Kudos after 7 AM ... and still giving 😂
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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 10): Recent studies show that despite 20 Jul 2024, 09:09
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bb Thank you for considering.

Thanks


bb
Purnank


Agree with this bb please reconsider these options again.
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.­
­

Thank you. I see the reason you ruled out D.
"Over the past year" means in the last 12 months and it is a bit ambiguous when it says this year.
We can make D clearer and revise it to say "in the last 12 months" to be absolutely accurate.
I have gone ahead and given Kudos to those answers that brought up the "this year" vs. "over the past year" or anything remotely similar in their explanations while choosing E.

P.S. E is still not better because it does not say that plastic waste spends years in the ocean and results into consistent volume of debris on shore for hundreds or even 2 years. (E) It just says that plastic does not decompose for hundreds of years but we are not concerned with decomposing. If the bans were working there should be less of it this year washing up on shore. The consistent level is not explained by E.­
Show more

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GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 10): Recent studies show that despite 31 Jul 2025, 06:11
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Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

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