The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, sign

Question

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, signed in 1987 by more than 150 nations, has attained its short-term goals: it has decreased the rate of increase in amounts of most ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere and has even reduced the atmospheric levels of some of them. The projection that the ozone layer will substantially recover from ozone depletion by 2050 is based on the assumption that the protocol's regulations will be strictly followed. Yet there is considerable evidence of violations, particularly in the form of the release of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are commonly used in the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries. These violations reflect industry attitudes; for example, in the United States, 48% of respondents in a recent survey of subscribers to  Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration News , an industry trade journal, said that they did not believe that CFCs damage the ozone layer. Moreover, some in the industry apparently do not want to pay for CFC substitutes, which can run five times the cost of CFCs. Consequently, a black market in imported illicit CFCs has grown. Estimates of the contraband CFC trade range from 10,000 to 22,000 tons a year, with most of the CFCs originating in India and China, whose agreements under the Protocol still allow them to produce CFCs. In fact, the United States Customs Service reports that CFC-12 is a contraband problem second only to illicit drugs.   1 
1. The passage suggests which of the following about the illicit trade in CFCs?

(A) It would cease if manufacturers in India and China stopped producing CFCs.
(B) Most people who participate in such trade do not believe that CFCs deplete the ozone layer.
(C) It will probably surpass illicit drugs as the largest contraband problem faced by the United States Customs Service.
(D) It is fostered by people who do not want to pay the price of CFC substitutes.
(E) It has grown primarily because of the expansion of the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries.

This question asks what the passage implies about the illicit trade in CFC's. The best answer is D.

The passage states that some industry members appear not to want to pay the price of CFC substitutes, and that consequently a black market in cheaper CFC's has emerged. This implies that the black market is fostered at least in part by those industry members who are unwilling to pay the higher price of CFC substitutes.

Choice A can be eliminated because the passage states that only that most contraband CFC's originate in India and China. This does not imply that the illicit trade in CFC's could not continue without manufacturers in those countries.

Choice B is not correct because the passage does not provide information about the beliefs of participants in the illicit CFC trade.

Choice C is incorrect because the passage states only that the United States Customs Service considers the illicit CFC trade to be a problem second only to the illicit drug trade; there is no suggestion in the passage that the illicit CFC trade is expected to develop into a larger problem than the illicit drug trade.

Choice E is incorrect because the passage attributes the growth of the illicit trade in CFC's to the high cost of CFC substitutes, not to an expansion of refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries. 
 2 
2. According to the passage, which of the following best describes most ozone-depleting chemicals in 1996 as compared to those in 1987?

(A) The levels of such chemicals in the atmosphere had decreased.
(B) The number of such chemicals that reached the atmosphere had declined.
(C) The amounts of such chemicals released had increased but the amounts that reached the atmosphere had decreased.
(D) The rate of increase in amounts of such chemicals reaching the atmosphere had decreased.
(E) The rate at which such chemicals were being reduced in the atmosphere had slowed.

This question asks you to identify a claim that is made in the passage about ozone-depleting chemicals. The best answer is D. The passage, written in 1996, states that the rate of increase in amounts of most ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere had been reduced since 1987. Choice A can be eliminated because the passage states that the atmospheric levels of some ozone-depleting chemicals has been reduced, not that the levels of most had been reduced. Choice B is incorrect because the actual number of different chemicals reaching the atmosphere is not provided in the passage, nor is it claimed that the number had declined. Choice C is not correct because the passage does not claim that there was an increase in the amounts of ozone-depleting chemicals released between 1987 and 1996. Choice E is incorrect because there is no indication in the passage that the rate of reduction of atmospheric chemicals had slowed between 1987 and 1996.

3 
3. The author of the passage compares the smuggling of CFC’s to the illicit drug trade most likely for which of the following reasons?

(A) To qualify a previous claim
(B) To emphasize the extent of a problem
(C) To provide an explanation for an earlier assertion
(D) To suggest that the illicit CFC trade, like the illicit drug trade, will continue to increase
(E) To suggest that the consequences of a relatively little-known problem are as serious as those of a well-known one

B

(The following is based on material written in 1996.)

abhinav770 · Accepted Answer

Question 1.  The passage suggests which of the following about the illicit trade in CFCs?

(A)  It would cease if manufacturers in India and China stopped producing CFCs. 
 Nowhere does it imply that the manufacture will cease worldwide if the two countries mentioned were to stop CFC production. 
(B)  Most people who participate in such trade do not believe that CFCs deplete the ozone layer. 
 We do not know what do these people think. We have no evidence of their opinion. 
(C)  It will probably surpass illicit drugs as the largest contraband problem faced by the United States Customs Service. 
 No comparison of rates of increase of illicit drugs and CFCs presented in the passage. 
(D)  It is fostered by people who do not want to pay the price of CFC substitutes. 
 Clearly implied in the passage. 
(E)  It has grown primarily because of the expansion of the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries. 
 No reason for growth of CFCs is mentioned.

Question 2.  According to the passage, which of the following best describes most ozone-depleting chemicals in 1996 as compared to those in 1987?

(A)  The levels of such chemicals in the atmosphere had decreased. 
 Not mentioned in the passage. 
(B)  The number of such chemicals that reached the atmosphere had declined. 
 Not mentioned in the passage and what number? 
(C)  The amounts of such chemicals released had increased but the amounts that reached the atmosphere had decreased. 
 Passage failed to provide evidence for this answer choice. 
(D)  The rate of increase in amounts of such chemicals reaching the atmosphere had decreased. 
 Clearly mentioned in the passage:  it has decreased the rate of increase in amounts of most ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere.  
(E)  The rate at which such chemicals were being reduced in the atmosphere had slowed. 
 Not mentioned in the passage.

Question 3.  The author of the passage compares the smuggling of CFC’s to the illicit drug trade most likely for which of the following reasons?

(A)  To qualify a previous claim 
 No evidence for this answer choice is presented by the passage. 
(B)  To emphasize the extent of a problem. 
 Actually this is what it was intended for, it does imply the extent of the problem as it is compared with a known menace and ranks next to it. 
(C)  To provide an explanation for an earlier assertion. 
 No, no earlier assertion was explained by this comparison. 
(D)  To suggest that the illicit CFC trade, likely the illicit drug trade, will continue to increase. 
 No such increase is either indicated by the passage or implied by the author. 
(E)  To suggest that the consequences of a relatively little-known problem are as serious as those of a well-known one 
 No, this is not what was the intended purpose of the comparison.

I hope this helped. If this was indeed helpful, then you may say  Thank You  by giving a  Kudos !

Bunuel · Answer

This question asks what the passage implies about the illicit trade in CFC's. The best answer is D. The passage states that some industry members appear not to want to pay the price of CFC substitutes, and that consequently a black market in cheaper CFC's has emerged. This implies that the black market is fostered at least in part by those industry members who are unwilling to pay the higher price of CFC substitutes.

Choice A can be eliminated because the passage states that only that most contraband CFC's originate in India and China. This does not imply that the illicit trade in CFC's could not continue without manufacturers in those countries.

Choice B is not correct because the passage does not provide information about the beliefs of participants in the illicit CFC trade.

Choice C is incorrect because the passage states only that the United States Customs Service considers the illicit CFC trade to be a problem second only to the illicit drug trade; there is no suggestion in the passage that the illicit CFC trade is expected to develop into a larger problem than the illicit drug trade.

Choice E is incorrect because the passage attributes the growth of the illicit trade in CFC's to the high cost of CFC substitutes, not to an expansion of refridgeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries.

Answer: D.

BillyZ · Answer

It is taken here.

MG1105 · Answer

workout  Can you please explain question 3 ?

Nikhil · Answer

MG1105  Following is my analysis. Let me know what you think.

3. The author of the passage compares the smuggling of CFC’s to the illicit drug trade most likely for which of the following reasons?

(A) To qualify a previous claim

INCORRECT  "Qualify a claim" means put more conditions/constraints on a claim. The mention of drug trade doesn't put any such conditions on the claim.

(B) To emphasize the extent of a problem

Correct  Generally, we rank things to know the importance of each. The author ranks CFC-12 contraband problem to convey the extent of the CFC-12 problem. The words "only after" tells us the importance of the extent of the problem.

(C) To provide an explanation for an earlier assertion

INCORRECT  No explanation was provided by mentioning drug trade

(D) To suggest that the illicit CFC trade, likely the illicit drug trade, will continue to increase

INCORRECT  "will continue to increase" is problematic. There are no projections specified for either CFC-12 or drug trade.

(E) To suggest that the consequences of a relatively little-known problem are as serious as those of a well-known one

INCORRECT  The presence of words "relatively little known" is problematic. There is no comparison presented and the consequences are not mentioned.

aragonn · Answer

1. The passage suggests which of the following about the illicit trade in CFCs?

Moreover, some in the industry apparently do not want to pay for CFC substitutes, which can run five times the cost of CFCs. Consequently, a black market in imported illicit CFCs has grown.

(D) It is fostered by people who do not want to pay the price of CFC substitutes.

------------------------------------------

2. According to the passage, which of the following best describes most ozone-depleting chemicals in 1996 as compared to those in 1987?

it has decreased the rate of increase in amounts of most ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere and has even reduced the atmospheric levels of some of them.
 
(D) The rate of increase in amounts of such chemicals reaching the atmosphere had decreased.

-------------------------------------------------

3. The author of the passage compares the smuggling of CFC’s to the illicit drug trade most likely for which of the following reasons?

(B) To emphasize the extent of a problem - seems the best of the lot.

PalashJain · Answer

Q1 D is the correct answer. This question asks you to identify a claim that is made in the passage about ozone-depleting chemicals. The best answer is D. The passage, written in 1996, states that the rate of increase in amounts of most ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere had been reduced since 1987. Choice A can be eliminated because the passage states that the atmospheric levels of some ozone-depleting chemicals has been reduced, not that the levels of most had been reduced. Choice B is incorrect because the actual number of different chemicals reaching the atmosphere is not provided in the passage, nor is it claimed that the number had declined. Choice C is not correct because the passage does not claim that there was an increase in the amounts of ozone-depleting chemicals released between 1987 and 1996. Choice E is incorrect because there is no indication in the passage that the rate of reduction of atmospheric chemicals had slowed between 1987 and 1996.

Q2 The correct answer is D. This question asks what the passage implies about the illicit trade in CFC's. The best answer is D. The passage states that some industry members appear not to want to pay the price of CFC substitutes, and that consequently a black market in cheaper CFC's has emerged. This implies that the black market is fostered at least in part by those industry members who are unwilling to pay the higher price of CFC substitutes. Choice A can be eliminated because the passage states that only that most contraband CFC's originate in India and China. This does not imply that the illicit trade in CFC's could not continue without manufacturers in those countries. Choice B is not correct because the passage does not provide information about the beliefs of participants in the illicit CFC trade. Choice C is incorrect because the passage states only that the United States Customs Service considers the illicit CFC trade to be a problem second only to the illicit drug trade; there is no suggestion in the passage that the illicit CFC trade is expected to develop into a larger problem than the illicit drug trade. Choice E is incorrect because the passage attributes the growth of the illicit trade in CFC's to the high cost of CFC substitutes, not to an expansion of refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries.

Q3 The author mentions the huge volumes of CFCs to emphasize the volume of the illicit CFC trade. Hence B is the correct answer.

hiranmay · Answer

Summary/Conclusion/Main Point: The Author/passage described that  regulations of MP are violated  & he gave  an example  to support the same.
 
1. The passage suggests which of the following about the illicit trade in CFCs( Must be True Q )?

(A) It would cease if manufacturers in India and China stopped producing CFCs. -->  not supported by the passage. Manufacturers in India & China don't produce 100% of all the CFCs, so if manufacturers in India and China stopped producing CFCs, it wouldn't cease 100%. > " most  of the CFCs originating in India and China" 
(B) Most people who participate in such trade do not believe that CFCs deplete the ozone layer. -->  "48% of respondents in a survey said that they did not believe that CFCs damage the ozone layer" > passage didn't mention whether these survey people and those who participate in the illicit trade are same or not. also 48% < 50% not most 
(C) It will probably surpass illicit drugs as the largest contraband problem faced by the United States Customs Service. -->  passage mentioned "CFC is 2nd", but it never says that it will be 1st in future 
(D) It is fostered by people who do not want to pay the price of CFC substitutes. -->   correct : "some in the industry apparently  do not want to pay for CFC substitutes , which can run five times the cost of CFCs" --> those people actually fostered the illicit trade in CFCs. 
(E) It has grown primarily because of the expansion of the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries in foreign countries. -->  "CFCs are commonly used in the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning industries.", but the passage never says that illicit trade in CFCs has grown primarily because of their market

2. According to the passage, which of the following best describes most ozone-depleting chemicals in 1996 as compared to those in 1987 ( Inference/Must be True Q )?
 from passage: it has  decreased the rate of increase  in amounts of  most  ozone-depleting chemicals reaching the atmosphere and has even reduced the atmospheric levels of  some  of them. --> for most decreased the rate of increase & for some reduced the amount/atmospheric levels 
(A) The levels of such chemicals in the atmosphere had decreased. -->  for some, not most, reduced the amount/atmospheric levels 
(B) The number of such chemicals that reached the atmosphere had declined. -->  the passage never discussed about the number of such chemicals 
(C) The amounts of such chemicals released had increased but the amounts that reached the atmosphere had decreased. -->  the passage didn't contrast "release and reached" 
(D) The rate of increase in amounts of such chemicals reaching the atmosphere had decreased. -->  correct as discussed in the prethinking 
(E) The rate at which such chemicals were being reduced in the atmosphere had slowed. -->  confusing but read slowly & carefully. it is saying "rate of  reduction  is slowed", but the passage says "rate of  increase  is slowed"
 
3. The author of the passage compares the smuggling of CFC’s to the illicit drug trade most likely for which of the following reasons( Inference Q/kind of Method of reasoning Q )?

(A) To qualify a previous claim -->  the author didn't qualify/limit anything, he just trying to inform about the severity of the problem. 
(B) To emphasize the extent of a problem -->  correct: The author says "CFC is 2nd" to show the severity of the problem 
(C) To provide an explanation for an earlier assertion -->  he didn't explain anything by this 
(D) To suggest that the illicit CFC trade, like the illicit drug trade, will continue to increase -->  he never mention what will happen in future 
(E) To suggest that the consequences of a relatively little-known problem are as serious as those of a well-known one -->  too generic: we don't know CFC problem is little known or not

CEdward · Answer

I am sorry...where does it say the passage was written in 1996? To me, question 2 is completely unclear. We're told that the Protocol completed its 'short-term goals'. What is the meaning of "short-term"? 1 year? 2 years? 1996 is a full 11 years after that protocol was signed. The rest of the paragraph leads us to believe that while the short-term goals were met, there is reason to doubt that the long-term goals heading towards 2050 were likely to be met given violations in regulations. 1996 is certainly one of those intervening years...in which case none of the answer choices points to the fact that things like CFCs would increase in the atmosphere.

Please chime in by quoting me.

Please chime in by quoting me.

mSKR · Answer

There are no definite years for long term or short term. It can not be said 100% that 1996 is a year for short term . 
But given the situation, 8 years out of 60 years can well be relatively considered as short term. If 2050 is long term then 1996 could be considered a short term especially when you have no other clue given.

im_praneet · Answer

Done in 6 mins and all the three answers are correct

whoaa

agrasan · Answer

Hi  KarishmaB   GMATNinja   DmitryFarber

In question-3,

(B) To emphasize the extent of a problem

(E) To suggest that the consequences of a relatively little-known problem are as serious as those of a well-known one

I went with option B based on my overall understanding of the passage and an observation that  "consequences"  are not discussed anywhere, but I wanted to check if there were other words in options or language that could better help us understand why E is wrong and B is correct?

Also, could you please let me know what should be an approach to tackle these type of questions? I get them wrong sometimes.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, sign

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