In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plast

Question

In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plastic, and thus reduce non biodegradable waste, the council of a small town plans to ban the sale of disposable plastic goods for which substitutes made of paper exist. The council argues that since most paper is entirely biodegradable, paper goods are environmentally preferable.

Which of the following, if true, indicates that the plan to ban the sale of disposable plastic goods is ill suited to the town council’s environmental goals?

(A) Although biodegradable plastic goods are now available, members of the town council believe biodegradable paper goods to be safer for the environment.

(B) The paper factory at which most of the townspeople are employed plans to increase production of biodegradable paper goods.

(C) After other towns enacted similar bans on the sale of plastic goods, the environmental benefits were not discernible for several years.

(D) Since most townspeople prefer plastic goods to paper goods in many instances, they are likely to purchase them in neighboring towns where plastic goods are available for sale.

(E) Products other than those derived from wood pulp are often used in the manufacture of paper goods that are entirely biodegradable.

rockstar23 · Answer

IMO D

Option D clearly weakens the argument by stating that despite imposing a ban in the city, the use of plastic goods will not reduce as most people prefer using plastic goods and will purchase them neighboring towns where plastic goods are on sale.

Hope it is clear

bagdbmba · Answer

Verbal experts,
Can you please share your analysis for this question?

It seems as rest of the options can't hold good hence, option D stands out.

But, I'd like to know the reason why D has to be correct?

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hello bagdbmba, 
The argument here is quite straight forward. 
The city plans to ban the SALE of plastic goods (for those that can be replaced with paper) in its city to make things greener. 
The biggest assumption made in such scenarios is that "This plan will have the desired effect"

We are expected to pick an answer that will weaken the argument. The answer must therefore expose the weakness in the assumption. 
Option D does this.
It says that "Since most townspeople prefer plastic goods to paper goods in many instances, they are likely to purchase them in neighboring towns where plastic goods are available for sale" 
If it is found that people purchase plastics from other cities, the ban would essentially have no effect (dumping of plastics will continue happening irrespective of the ban) .
This is the reason why D is correct.

Hope that helps, 
Regards, 
Ajeeth Peo 
Verbal Trainer, 
Crack Verbal

articuno · Answer

1. Question asks for a reason plan won't contribute to goal. The goal concerns the environment

2. 
Conclusion/Plan: ban plastic goods so people will use paper
Premise: paper biodegrades

3. Need a reason banning plastic goods and using paper goods will contribute to goal

4. 
A: This is a different plan
B: This is not a reason why the plan will contribute to the environmental goal
C: Hold
D: Hold
E: This is a different plan

C vs D
D: Suggests a way for people to get around the plan and still buy plastic
C: Suggests benefits still exist, just have to wait for them

My selection: Choice D

KarishmaB · Answer

Plan - Ban the sale of disposable plastic goods for which substitutes made of paper exist.
Goal - Promote the widespread use of paper rather than plastic, and thus reduce non biodegradable waste

What suggests that the plan is ill suited to the goal?

(A) Although biodegradable plastic goods are now available, members of the town council believe biodegradable paper goods to be safer for the environment.

Paper is certainly biodegradable so switching to paper will not harm the goal so the plan. /even if some plastic is also biodegradable now, still, switching to plastic might be better.

(B) The paper factory at which most of the townspeople are employed plans to increase production of biodegradable paper goods.

Good for the plan. If plastic is banned, the town will need more paper goods.

(C) After other towns enacted similar bans on the sale of plastic goods, the environmental benefits were not discernible for several years.

We don't know if these "other towns" are comparable to our town. Usually when the question wants to tell us that the towns are comparable we are given so. Also, whether the benefits were discernible or not does not decide whether the benefit is happening or not. Since bio degradation takes a long time, it is possible that the benefits are not visible for a long time but finally there will be benefits.

(D) Since most townspeople prefer plastic goods to paper goods in many instances, they are likely to purchase them in neighboring towns where plastic goods are available for sale.

This seems to suggest that banning plastic goods will be pointless. People will buy plastic from neighbouring towns. Correct.

(E) Products other than those derived from wood pulp are often used in the manufacture of paper goods that are entirely biodegradable.

Irrelevant

Answer (D)

dhairya18 · Answer

Option Analysis
(A) Although biodegradable plastic goods are now available, members of the town council believe biodegradable paper goods to be safer for the environment.
Negation Reason: This focuses on the council’s internal beliefs rather than the real-world outcome of the plan. A plan’s success is measured by its results, not the intentions of its creators.
The Trap: Focuses on "intent" rather than "efficacy."
Incorrect Part: "...members of the town council believe..."

(B) The paper factory at which most of the townspeople are employed plans to increase production of biodegradable paper goods.
Negation Reason: This describes a shift in the local economy that actually supports the plan by ensuring paper goods are readily available.
The Trap: This is a "Strengthener" or neutral context.
Incorrect Part: "...plans to increase production..." (This makes the plan easier to execute, not ill-suited).

(C) After other towns enacted similar bans on the sale of plastic goods, the environmental benefits were not discernible for several years.
Negation Reason: A delay in results does not mean the plan is fundamentally flawed or ill-suited; it just means the goal is long-term.
The Trap: Timeframe trap. GMAT logic dictates that a slow success is still a success.
Incorrect Part: "...not discernible for several years."

(D) Since most townspeople prefer plastic goods to paper goods in many instances, they are likely to purchase them in neighboring towns where plastic goods are available for sale.
Selection Reason: This identifies a "bypass" loophole. If the townspeople simply buy the plastic elsewhere and bring it back into the town, the amount of non-biodegradable waste isn't reduced. The plan fails to achieve its primary objective.
The Trap: None. It highlights a fatal flaw in the plan's logic.

(E) Products other than those derived from wood pulp are often used in the manufacture of paper goods that are entirely biodegradable.
Negation Reason: This provides information about how paper is made, but since the end product is still "entirely biodegradable," it doesn't hurt the council's goal.
The Trap: Irrelevant detail/Out of Scope.
Incorrect Part: "Products other than those derived from wood pulp..."

Correct Answer: (D)

In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plast

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In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plast

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