Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

Question

Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside,  increasing urbanization may actually reduce the total amount of pollution generated nationwide . Residents of large cities usually rely more on mass transportation and live in smaller, more energy-efficient dwellings than do people in rural areas. Thus, a given number of people will produce less pollution if concentrated in a large city than if dispersed among many small towns.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that increasing urbanization may actually reduce the total amount of pollution generated nationwide?

(A) It is use to support the conclusion that people should live in large cities

(B) It is a statement offered to call into question the claim that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

(C) It is a statement serving merely to introduce the topic to be addressed in the argument and plays no logical role

(D) It is a premise offered in support of the conclusion that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

(E) It is a claim that the rest of the argument is designed to establish

Nishant1795 · Answer

The author does not recommend people to live in large cities. He/She just stated the fact that people living in large cities generate less pollution than people living in dispersed locations in the countryside. Hence A can be ruled out.

The sentence is a claim that sets the context for the conclusion. The only logical option left is E which is the right answer.

The sentence is a claim that sets the context for the conclusion. The only logical option left is E which is the right answer.

CEdward · Answer

Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside, increasing urbanization may actually reduce the total amount of pollution generated nationwide. Residents of large cities usually rely more on mass transportation and live in smaller, more energy-efficient dwellings than do people in rural areas. Thus, a given number of people will produce less pollution if concentrated in a large city than if dispersed among many small towns.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that increasing urbanization may actually reduce the total amount of pollution generated nationwide?

(A) It is use to support the conclusion that people  should  live in large cities

(B) It is a statement offered to  call into question the claim that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

(C) It is a statement serving  merely to introduce the topic to be addressed  in the argument and plays no logical role

(D) It is a premise offered in  support of the conclusion that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

(E) It is a claim that the rest of the argument is designed to establish  CORRECT

MBAB123 · Answer

kashishDhir and Foi2Evei2

Here is option B - It is a statement offered to call into question the claim that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

Now take a look at the first sentence of the passage - Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside, increasing urbanization may actually reduce the total amount of pollution generated nationwide

Notice the underlined portion. The statement that large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside is given as a fact. The author does not try to question this statement anywhere. 10 people in a city are likely to pollute less than 10 people in the country side - that is the point that the author is making. Let me know if you need more clarification on option B!

Foi2Evei2 · Answer

Thanks for your response

. Let's try to break down the component for the although structure. Structure : Although X , Y Paraphrase from the passage : Although A is more polluted than B , Increasing A may reduce total pollution Interpretation : Y is making X into a question. or we could say it is paradox. So that is why I think option B is also correct.

MBAB123 · Answer

Firstly, introducing a paradox does not mean that one of the statements has been questioned. Also, the point here isn't to disprove the fact that Urban cities are more polluted. When urbanisation is increased, the total pollution generated nationwide would decrease. Nationwide is key here. The argument goes on to tell you why the pollution would be less  per capita . Yeah they way it stands, the cities might be polluting more than the countryside (does that really mean that urban cities are worse? You have to look at the size, number, etc, or any other factor to give a fair comparison). Try to think on the lines of the argument and what the author is trying to say. He really isn't calling anything into question. (Think per capita, macro eco, economies of sale, efficiencies, etc).

VerbalBot · Answer

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Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

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Although large cities are generally more polluted than the countryside

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