Critical Reasoning

The earth's resources are being depleted much too fast. To correct this, the United States must keep its resource consumption at present levels for many years to come.

1. The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?

(A) Per capita resource consumption in the United States is at an all-time high.
(B) The United States wastes resources.
(C) The United States uses more resources than any other country.
(D) The United States imports most of the resources it uses.
(E) Curbing U.S. resource consumption will significantly retard world resource depletion.

2. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above?

(A) New resource deposits are constantly being discovered.
(B) The United States consumes one-third of all resources used in the world.
(C) Other countries need economic development more than the United States does.
(D) Other countries have agreed to hold their resource consumption at present levels.
(E) The United States has been conserving resources for several years.

kvcpk wrote:The earth's resources are being depleted much too fast. To correct this, the United States must keep its resource consumption at present levels for many years to come.

1. The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?

(A) Per capita resource consumption in the United States is at an all-time high.
(B) The United States wastes resources.
(C) The United States uses more resources than any other country.
(D) The United States imports most of the resources it uses.
(E) Curbing U.S. resource consumption will significantly retard world resource depletion.

2. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument above?

(A) New resource deposits are constantly being discovered.
(B) The United States consumes one-third of all resources used in the world.
(C) Other countries need economic development more than the United States does.
(D) Other countries have agreed to hold their resource consumption at present levels.
(E) The United States has been conserving resources for several years.

is the answer E and B?

[spoiler]E and D[spoiler][/spoiler][/spoiler]

1 -> E

It is filling the gap b/w US and the world consumption.

2 -> B
It shows that US is a big consumer of the resources.

For 1st one its definitely E

for 2nd I am bit confused between B and D.

But finally I will go with B

OA :
1-E
2-B

Not convinced with B in second question.

It just says 1/3rd of resources are used by US. But, that doesnt mean MOST part is used by US.

May be because others are not close, will have to go with B.

Ya Praveen you are right.

There may be the case that only 2 countries are responsible for depleting world's resources.

US uses 1/3 and other uses 2/3.

Even if US keeps its current consumptions at current levels.The other country may deplete it at faster rate and it will not strengthen the argument.

There is no other contender so we have to choose B only.

Guys, I won't go with B. What is the OE for B?