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Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Counterarguments and Opposing Positions

City planners recently proposed constructing a network of dedicated bicycle lanes along major commercial corridors to reduce traffic congestion. Opponents of the plan argue that eliminating vehicle lanes will significantly slow down local delivery trucks and harm retail businesses. However, recent traffic studies in neighboring municipalities demonstrate that improved bicycle infrastructure actually reduces overall delivery delays by diverting short-distance commuter cars away from delivery routes. Therefore, the city council should proceed with the proposed bicycle lane project.

Which of the following best describes the role played in the argument by the claim that eliminating vehicle lanes will significantly slow down local delivery trucks and harm retail businesses?

  1. A
    It is the main conclusion that the author intends to establish.
  2. B
    It provides contextual background information accepted as true by all parties in the debate.
  3. It presents an opposing position that the argument attempts to refute.Answer
  4. D
    It functions as an intermediate conclusion supporting the author's ultimate recommendation.
  5. E
    It serves as empirical evidence supporting the claim that bicycle infrastructure reduces delivery delays.

Answer

The statement presents an opposing position that the argument attempts to refute.
The passage explicitly attributes the target claim to 'Opponents of the plan'. The author then uses the pivot word 'However' and introduces traffic study findings to undermine this exact objection. Therefore, the statement represents an opposing position that the author's argument seeks to refute.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the argument and locate the target claim.
The target claim is introduced by 'Opponents of the plan argue that...', which signals a counterargument or opposing viewpoint.
Identifying transition words and structural indicators helps classify the function of each statement in the passage.
2
Examine how the author responds to the target claim.
The author uses the structural pivot word 'However' followed by evidence from traffic studies to counter the opponents' objection.
Understanding the author's rebuttal clarifies that the target claim is an opposing stance being challenged rather than accepted.
3
Match the structural function to the correct option.
The target claim represents an opposing position that the author refutes to advocate for the bicycle lane project.
The correct answer accurately describes the relationship between the opponents' objection and the author's main argument.

Key Concept

Identifying Counterarguments and Opposing Positions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Identifying Counterarguments and Opposing Positions