Read the critical reasoning argument below and complete the statement by identifying the claim that serves as the intermediate (subsidiary) conclusion.
Answer:Argument:
To mitigate shoreline degradation, environmental engineers recommend deploying artificial kelp reefs off coastal cliffs. Because artificial kelp disrupts high-energy wave kinetic power without interfering with natural sediment transport, installing these reefs significantly reduces cliff erosion rates. Consequently, coastal municipalities can protect vulnerable seaside infrastructure without incurring the massive capital costs associated with concrete seawall construction. Therefore, municipal budgets allocated for shoreline defense should be directed primarily toward artificial kelp reef projects.
Analysis:
In the argument above, the claim that functions as the intermediate (subsidiary) conclusion is '【coastal municipalities can protect vulnerable seaside infrastructure without incurring the massive capital costs associated with concrete seawall construction】'.
To mitigate shoreline degradation, environmental engineers recommend deploying artificial kelp reefs off coastal cliffs. Because artificial kelp disrupts high-energy wave kinetic power without interfering with natural sediment transport, installing these reefs significantly reduces cliff erosion rates. Consequently, coastal municipalities can protect vulnerable seaside infrastructure without incurring the massive capital costs associated with concrete seawall construction. Therefore, municipal budgets allocated for shoreline defense should be directed primarily toward artificial kelp reef projects.
Analysis:
In the argument above, the claim that functions as the intermediate (subsidiary) conclusion is '【coastal municipalities can protect vulnerable seaside infrastructure without incurring the massive capital costs associated with concrete seawall construction】'.
Answer
The intermediate conclusion is the assertion that coastal municipalities can protect vulnerable seaside infrastructure without incurring the massive capital costs associated with concrete seawall construction.
The claim stating that coastal municipalities can protect infrastructure without incurring massive seawall construction costs functions as an intermediate conclusion. It is logically derived from the premise that artificial kelp significantly reduces cliff erosion rates, and it is subsequently used to justify the main conclusion that municipal budgets should be directed primarily toward artificial kelp projects.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Distinguishing intermediate (subsidiary) conclusions from foundational premises and main conclusions