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Difficulty: MediumIdentifying the Apparent Discrepancy

In the city of Oakhaven, a new municipal policy successfully reduced the per capita water consumption of its residents by 20 percent over a five-year period. During this same five-year period, the city did not expand its borders, and the total water supply available to the city remained perfectly constant. Nevertheless, by the end of the five-year period, the city's water reservoirs had experienced a severe depletion, reaching historically low levels.

Which one of the following most accurately identifies the apparent discrepancy presented in the information above?

  1. Per capita water consumption decreased significantly over a five-year period, yet the city's constant water supply was severely depleted during that same time.Answer
  2. B
    The population of Oakhaven grew significantly over the five-year period, causing total water demand to exceed the savings from individual conservation.
  3. C
    The proportion of the city's total water supply allocated to residential use decreased by 20 percent, but the reservoirs still reached historically low levels.
  4. D
    The city intended the new policy to reduce overall water demand, yet the total water supply available to the city remained perfectly constant.
  5. E
    The city's total overall water consumption decreased by 20 percent, but the absolute volume of water in the reservoirs was still severely depleted.

Answer

The correct answer states that per capita water consumption decreased significantly over a five-year period, yet the city's constant water supply was severely depleted during that same time.
The correct answer isolates the two conflicting facts precisely as they are presented in the stimulus: individual usage rates decreased, yet the overall water reserves were still severely depleted despite a constant supply. It does not attempt to explain the conflict, nor does it distort the facts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus to isolate the contrasting factual premises.
Fact 1: Per capita water consumption dropped by 20% and the total supply remained constant. Fact 2: The water reservoirs still experienced severe depletion.
Identifying a discrepancy requires pinpointing the exact facts that appear to contradict one another without making outside assumptions.
2
Evaluate the question stem to determine the precise task.
The stem asks to 'identify the apparent discrepancy', which means finding the answer choice that simply restates the conflict.
Many test-takers confuse 'identifying' a discrepancy with 'resolving' it. Knowing the exact task prevents falling for resolution traps.
3
Review the options to find the one that accurately captures the conflict without adding new information or altering the given facts.
The correct option correctly pairs the drop in individual consumption with the depletion of the constant supply. The other options either offer explanations (resolutions) or misstate rates versus totals.
An accurate identification must strictly adhere to the boundaries of the text provided.

Key Concept

Identifying the Apparent Discrepancy
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Identifying the Apparent Discrepancy

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