In opposing the 1970 Clean Air Act, the United States
automobile industry argued that meeting the act’s
standards for automobile emissions was neither
economically feasible nor environmentally necessary.
However, the catalytic converter, invented in 1967, enabled
automakers to meet the 1970 standards efficiently.
Currently, automakers are lobbying against the
government’s attempt to pass legislation that would
tighten restrictions on automobile emissions. The
automakers contend that these new restrictions would be
overly expensive and unnecessary to efforts to curb air
pollution. Clearly, the automobile industry’s position
should not be heeded.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses
the method used to counter the automakers’ current
position?
(A) The automakers’ premises are shown to lead to
a contradiction.
(B) Facts are mentioned that show that the
automakers are relying on false information.
(C) A flaw is pointed out in the reasoning used by
the automakers to reach their conclusion.
(D) A comparison is drawn between the
automakers’ current position and a position
they held in the past.
(E) Evidence is provided that the new emissions
legislation is both economically feasible and
environmentally necessary.