Vercules wrote:
Even though there has been significant scientific debate for a long time on the misuse of fossil fuels, most scientists now agree that human activity is causing a rapid depletion of these resources. Though predictions vary, many fossil fuel experts believe that all the Earth’s fossil fuels will be consumed by the next century. Such an event would cause a global shut down of all the industries and equipments that use fossil fuels, disturbing habitat and resources for survival for billions of people.
Which of the following is an assumption in support of the argument’s conclusion?
A) New technological developments in the next century will not create a substitute for fossil fuels.
B) Individuals will not become more aware of the steps they can take to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
C) Global shutdown of industries and equipments that use fossil fuels will similarly affect all parts of the Earth.
D) Some fossil fuel experts predict that the fossil fuels will be completely depleted even earlier than during the next century.
E) Human activity is the sole cause of depleting fossil fuels.
OA and OE after discussions
Premise:human activity is causing a rapid depletion of fossil fuels and all the Earth’s fossil fuels will be consumed by the next century
Conclusion: Such an event would cause a global shut down of all the industries and equipments that use fossil fuels, disturbing habitat and resources for survival for billions of people.
We need to look for the choice whose negation (i) is an additional premise which negates the conclusion or (ii) which reduces the force of the premise.
The negation of choice A which is "New technological developments in the next century
will create a substitute for fossil fuels.", is an additional premise which negates the conclusion.
None of the other choices does that. So choice A.