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Zorluk: KolayStrengthen

The city council is proposing to replace all existing streetlights with new LED models. The council argues that this switch will reduce the city's annual streetlight operating budget. Their sole evidence is that the new LED models consume 40 percent less electricity per hour than the existing streetlights.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the city council's argument?

  1. A
    The new LED streetlights require replacement parts that cost significantly more than the savings gained from the reduced electricity use.
  2. B
    Because the LED models are highly efficient, the city plans to install twice as many streetlights as it currently operates.
  3. Maintenance costs, which make up a large portion of the operating budget, are significantly lower for the LED models than for the existing streetlights.Cevap
  4. D
    Many neighboring cities have already replaced their older streetlights with newer LED models.
  5. E
    If a city successfully reduces its annual streetlight operating budget, it must have recently switched to LED models.

Cevap

Maintenance costs, which make up a large portion of the operating budget, are significantly lower for the LED models than for the existing streetlights.
The correct answer strengthens the argument by addressing a potential gap in the reasoning. The council assumes that the electricity savings will not be outweighed by other expenses. By explicitly stating that maintenance costs (another major part of the budget) will also be lower, this option confirms that the overall operating budget will indeed decrease, making the conclusion much more plausible.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the conclusion of the argument.
The conclusion is that switching to LED streetlights will reduce the city's annual streetlight operating budget.
Understanding what the argument is trying to prove is the essential first step in evaluating it.
2
Identify the supporting premise.
The premise is that the new LED models consume 40 percent less electricity per hour.
We must know exactly what evidence is being used to support the conclusion.
3
Identify the logical gap or assumption.
The argument assumes that electricity is the only relevant cost, or that other costs (like maintenance or replacement parts) will not increase enough to offset the electricity savings.
Strengthen questions often require finding an option that addresses an unstated assumption or bridges a gap in the reasoning.
4
Evaluate the options to find the strengthener.
The option stating that maintenance costs are significantly lower for LED models eliminates a potential offset to the savings, directly supporting the conclusion that the overall budget will be reduced.
The correct answer must make the conclusion more likely to be true.

Anahtar Kavram

Strengthening an argument by ruling out alternative disadvantages
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Konular

Strengthen

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