PrepTest 150

Incorrect. The stimulus states that the agreement is likely to achieve the stated goal of reducing ocean pollution, so this answer doesn't apply.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen (Principle)

Stimulus Summary:
This pollution agreement would help the oceans but hurt the economy, so the country shouldn't pass it.

Answer Anticipation:
The answer to Principle (Strengthen) questions connects a fact from the premises to the judgment made in the conclusion. Here, it needs to connect hurting the economy to a recommendation against doing it. Alternatively, since the argument balances the environment against the economy and sides with the economy, an answer that justifies going with the economy over the environment would also be correct.

Answer Explanation:
This answer choice states that the economy is more important than the oceans, thus justifying the rejection of a proposal that would help the latter at the expense of the former.

Key Takeaway:
In a question where two considerations are balanced, look for answers that talk about the relative importance of those two considerations.

Incorrect. The argument doesn't establish if there's another plan that would be better at saving the oceans, just that this plan hurts the economy. It's possible that all plans to save the whales will also hurt the bottom line.

Incorrect. First, the stimulus only talks about the minister's country's economy. Second, the conclusion reaches a specific recommendation based on the economy being more important than the environment, and this answer just talks about considering certain facts, not how that consideration would lead to a conclusion.

Incorrect. This answer would justify a conclusion that a policy shouldn't be implemented, which is the opposite of the stimulus's conclusion. Additionally, the proposed plan is likely to reduce economic growth, so this principle doesn't apply to the given situation.