Its true that most people in this country are understandably confused

Question

It’s true that most people in this country are understandably confused about which plastic containers are recyclable. Furthermore,  it can be harmful to recycle equipment if the wrong items are placed in recycling bins.  This has led some people to say that  the best thing to do if you’re unsure about a container is to throw it in the trash.  However, the best thing to do would be to take the time to find out which containers that you commonly use are recyclable in your area. Only then, if you’re still unsure, would it be wisest to discard the item in the trash.

In the argument given, the two   boldfaced   portions play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a premise with which the author disagrees; the second is also a premise with which the author disagrees.
(B) The first provides information that the author accepts as accurate; the second is a conclusion with which the author is in agreement under limited circumstances.
(C) The first is a piece of background information that is necessary for understanding the author’s point of view; the second is a conclusion that the author uses to support a further conclusion.
(D) The first is a statement with which the author only partially agrees; the second is a conclusion that the author proves incorrect.
(E) The first is a piece of evidence that the author believes to be misleading; the second is a conclusion supported by the author.

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Question 50: Recycling Plastic Containers

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Sumi1010 · Answer

The structure of the argument is :

Premise (BF1)  - It can be harmful to recycle equipment if the wrong items are placed in recycling bins. 
 People's conclusion (BF2)  - The best thing to do if you’re unsure about a container is to throw it in the trash.
 Author's conclusion  - The best thing to do would be to take the time to find out which containers that you commonly use are recyclable.

(A) The first is a premise with which  the author disagrees ; the second is also a premise with which the author disagrees.
 The author does not disagree with the premise. 
(B) The first provides information that the author accepts as accurate; the second is a conclusion with which the author is in agreement under limited circumstances.
 Correct. The author agrees with the people's conclusion but with the limitation that throwing in the trash is  not the best thing.  
(C) The first is a piece of background information that is necessary for understanding the author’s point of view;  the second is a conclusion that the author uses to support a further conclusion. 
 The second does not support any further conclusion. 
(D) The first is a statement with which the author only  partially agrees;  the second is a conclusion that the author proves incorrect.
 The author does not question the first statement. 
(E) The first is a piece of evidence that the author believes to be misleading; the second is a conclusion supported by the author.
 The author does not question or doubt the first statement.

B

winterschool · Answer

It’s true that most people in this country are understandably confused about which plastic containers are recyclable. Furthermore, it can be harmful to recycle equipment if the wrong items are placed in recycling bins. This has led some people to say that the best thing to do if you’re unsure about a container is to throw it in the trash. However, the best thing to do would be to take the time to find out which containers that you commonly use are recyclable in your area. Only then, if you’re still unsure, would it be wisest to discard the item in the trash.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a premise with which the author disagrees; the second is also a premise with which the author disagrees.  Incorrect

author is not disagree with first

(B) The first provides information that the author accepts as accurate; the second is a conclusion with which the author is in agreement under limited circumstances.  Correct

(C) The first is a piece of background information that is necessary for understanding the author’s point of view; the second is a conclusion that the author uses to support a further conclusion.  Incorrect

author is not use second to support a further conclusion

(D) The first is a statement with which the author only partially agrees; the second is a conclusion that the author proves incorrect.  Incorrect

author partially agrees with second

(E) The first is a piece of evidence that the author believes to be misleading; the second is a conclusion supported by the author.  Incorrect

first is not misleading

Neel503 · Answer

The options A,D,E can be easily eliminated in the 1st check itself ,confusion remains between B & C . But on reading again one finds that there is No further or other conclusion ,there is only albeit a bit modified, which brings answer closer to B.

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EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Official Explanation:

It’s true that most people in this country are understandably confused about which plastic containers are recyclable. Furthermore,  it can be harmful to recycle equipment if the wrong items are placed in recycling bins.  This has led some people to say that  the best thing to do if you’re unsure about a container is to throw it in the trash.  However, the best thing to do would be to take the time to find out which containers that you commonly use are recyclable in your area. Only then, if you’re still unsure, would it be wisest to discard the item in the trash.

In the argument given, the two   boldfaced   portions play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a premise with which the author disagrees; the second is also a premise with which the author disagrees. 
 (B) The first provides information that the author accepts as accurate; the second is a conclusion with which the author is in agreement under limited circumstances. 
 (C) The first is a piece of background information that is necessary for understanding the author’s point of view; the second is a conclusion that the author uses to support a further conclusion. 
 (D) The first is a statement with which the author only partially agrees; the second is a conclusion that the author proves incorrect. 
 (E) The first is a piece of evidence that the author believes to be misleading; the second is a conclusion supported by the author.

Question Type:   Boldface
  Boil It Down:   People aren’t sure which plastic containers to recycle, and which ones need to be thrown in the trash. This led people to advise throwing any plastic container you’re even remotely confused about in the trash. However, the better advice is to take time to do your research before assuming a container should go in the trash. In the end, if you’re still not sure, toss it in the trash because the wrong plastic containers can damage recycling equipment.
  Goal:    Find the purpose of the two parts of the passage highlighted in boldface.

Analysis:

The question asks for a description of how the boldfaced portions function in the argument.
 
 Conclusion:  Only throw out plastic containers if you’ve first tried to identify whether they can be recycled.
 
As choice B states, the first portion presents information that the author accepts – it’s a fact that it can be harmful to attempt to recycle the wrong material. The author believes in throwing out items that could actually be recyclable but under limited circumstances: first trying to identify whether it is or not.

(A) The first is a premise with which the author disagrees; the second is also a premise with which the author disagrees.
 This is incorrect. The first does not disagree with the first portion; the second is not a premise .

(B) The first provides information that the author accepts as accurate; the second is a conclusion with which the author is in agreement under limited circumstances.
 This is the correct choice.

(C) The first is a piece of background information that is necessary for understanding the author’s point of view; the second is a conclusion that the author uses to support a further conclusion.
 This is incorrect. The second portion is not a conclusion leading to a second conclusion.

(D) The first is a statement with which the author only partially agrees; the second is a conclusion that the author proves incorrect.
 This is incorrect. The author does not disagree at all with the first portion.

(E) The first is a piece of evidence that the author believes to be misleading; the second is a conclusion supported by the author.
 This is incorrect. The author does not support the second portion.

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EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Well done Sumi1010 winterschool and Neel503 ! You all cracked the code on this one - kudos to you!

VerbalBot · Answer

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Its true that most people in this country are understandably confused

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