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Question

Difficulty: Very hardAnalyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

A coalition of environmental policy analysts recently advocated for an immediate municipal tax on industrial carbon emissions, arguing that higher operational costs would compel manufacturing firms to transition swiftly to renewable energy sources. However, this proposal relies on the unproven assumption that alternative energy infrastructure in industrial zones is already capable of supporting existing power loads. Currently, regional transmission grids suffer from severe capacity bottlenecks that prevent the integration of high-voltage renewable power. Consequently, imposing an immediate tax will force heavy manufacturers to curtail production output rather than upgrade facilities, thereby undermining regional economic growth without accelerating green transition goals.

In the argument given, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

  1. The first is a claim introduced by the author to challenge the feasibility of a proposed policy; the second is the author's main conclusion.Answer
  2. B
    The first is the author's main conclusion; the second is an intermediate conclusion offered in support of an opposing position.
  3. C
    The first presents a position that the author seeks to defend; the second provides empirical evidence supporting that position.
  4. D
    The first provides neutral background information describing a policy proposal; the second is a counterexample used to disprove that proposal.
  5. E
    The first is an premise supporting the environmental analysts' recommendation; the second is a qualification introduced to limit the scope of the author's conclusion.

Answer

The statement identifying the first boldface as a claim introduced to challenge the feasibility of a proposed policy and the second boldface as the author's main conclusion is correct.
The correct option accurately captures the functional structure of the argument. The author begins by presenting a policy proposed by environmental analysts and immediately uses the first boldface statement to attack an unproven assumption underlying that policy. After providing supporting evidence regarding grid bottlenecks, the author uses the second boldface statement—signaled by the keyword 'Consequently'—to state the overall main conclusion of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main argument structure and identify the opposing view
The argument begins by summarizing a proposal by environmental policy analysts (imposing an immediate municipal tax on industrial carbon emissions).
Understanding the overall context allows us to determine whose voice is speaking in each part of the passage.
2
Evaluate the role of the first boldface statement
The author introduces the first boldface ('However, this proposal relies on the unproven assumption...') to directly target and criticize a flaw in the analysts' proposal.
This establishes that the first boldface is a premise used by the author to undermine the feasibility of the proposed tax policy.
3
Evaluate the role of the supporting evidence and the second boldface statement
The sentence following the first boldface provides factual evidence regarding grid bottlenecks. The second boldface ('Consequently, imposing an immediate tax will force heavy manufacturers to curtail production...') presents the author's final, overarching claim about the negative outcome of the tax.
The conclusion marker 'Consequently' introduces the author's primary judgment and main conclusion.

Key Concept

Identifying Boldface Statement Roles in Critical Reasoning
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Analyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

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