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Difficulty: MediumAnalyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

A recent municipal proposal suggests replacing all diesel-powered harbor tugboats with fully electric alternatives in order to reduce port emissions. Proponents claim that this transition will immediately lower overall harbor operational costs because electric motors require less maintenance. However, this argument overlooks the major electrical grid upgrades needed to charge high-capacity batteries during peak operating hours. The capital expense of installing these dedicated charging stations will far exceed any short-term savings in motor maintenance. Therefore, implementing the proposal as currently structured is unlikely to achieve a net reduction in port operating costs.

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

  1. The first is a claim put forward by proponents of a proposal that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is a premise offered to support the author's main conclusion.Answer
  2. B
    The first is the main conclusion drawn by the author; the second is a supporting premise offered to justify that conclusion.
  3. C
    The first is a claim that the author opposes; the second is the author's main conclusion regarding the proposal.
  4. D
    The first is a position that the author seeks to defend; the second is evidence that undermines that position.
  5. E
    The first is background context describing a port policy; the second is a counterargument that the author subsequently refutes.

Answer

The first statement is a claim put forward by proponents of a proposal that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is a premise offered to support the author's main conclusion.
The argument opens by mentioning a proposal and then states what proponents claim in the first boldfaced portion. The pivot word 'However' introduces the author's rebuttal, establishing that the author opposes this claim. The second boldfaced statement provides evidence (capital expense of charging stations) supporting the author's conclusion at the end. Thus, the correct choice accurately describes the first as a claim of proponents opposed by the argument, and the second as a supporting premise for the main conclusion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main argument structure and identify the main conclusion.
The main conclusion is the final sentence: implementing the proposal as currently structured is unlikely to reduce net port operating costs.
The conclusion represents the primary point the author is advocating for, introduced by the conclusion indicator 'Therefore'.
2
Determine the role of the first boldface statement.
It presents the argument of the proponents ('Proponents claim...'), which the author proceeds to counter after the transition word 'However'.
The author opposes the idea that operational costs will be lowered immediately.
3
Determine the role of the second boldface statement.
It provides factual evidence regarding capital expenses of charging infrastructure to explain why net costs will not decrease.
This serves as a premise that directly supports the author's main conclusion.

Key Concept

Analyzing structural roles of boldface statements relative to the author's conclusion.
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Topics

Analyzing Boldface Statement Roles and Argument Structure

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