Critical Reasoning

Since pollution-causing human activities can cause an increase in average global temperatures, the mild winters in the area could be a result of the high concentration of vehicle exhaust emitted in the region. However, some scientists argue that the mild winters are a result of the increased rate of conversion of commercial areas to industrial areas.

Which of the following, if true, strengthens the scientists' argument?

Although commercial property areas tend to emit significantly less pollution than industrial areas, they still emit more than the vehicles in the area on a given day.
Most of the people who work in commercial areas drive to work each day.
New strict laws in the area require buildings in the industrial areas to reduce their emissions by 60% in the next 5 years.
Vehicle exhaust is comprised largely of carbon monoxide, the same pollutant emitted by the industrial areas.
In response to consumer demand, exhaust levels per vehicle have steadily decreased in recent years.

A for me.

Crick

Since pollution-causing human activities can cause an increase in average global temperatures, the mild winters in the area could be a result of the high concentration of vehicle exhaust emitted in the region. However, some scientists argue that the mild winters are a result of the increased rate of conversion of commercial areas to industrial areas.

Which of the following, if true, strengthens the scientists' argument?

Although commercial property areas tend to emit significantly less pollution than industrial areas, they still emit more than the vehicles in the area on a given day.
Most of the people who work in commercial areas drive to work each day.
New strict laws in the area require buildings in the industrial areas to reduce their emissions by 60% in the next 5 years.
Vehicle exhaust is comprised largely of carbon monoxide, the same pollutant emitted by the industrial areas.
In response to consumer demand, exhaust levels per vehicle have steadily decreased in recent years.

+1 for A

Here the correct option must strengthen the scientist's argument that the conversion from commercial to industrial causes pollution . How does A address this ?

Should we assume the industrial area after conversion from comm area also emits similar rates of polluting thing ?

Deepthi Subbu wrote:Here the correct option must strengthen the scientist's argument that the conversion from commercial to industrial causes pollution . How does A address this ?

Should we assume the industrial area after conversion from comm area also emits similar rates of polluting thing ?

Hi Deepthi,

'A' actually address this..
"Although commercial property areas tend to emit significantly less pollution than industrial areas, they still emit more than the vehicles in the area on a given day. "

This simply means that Pollution in industrial area >>(much greater than) pollution in commercial area > (greater than) pollution caused by vehicles.

IMO A

Hope this helps.

need720+ wrote:

Deepthi Subbu wrote:Here the correct option must strengthen the scientist's argument that the conversion from commercial to industrial causes pollution . How does A address this ?

Should we assume the industrial area after conversion from comm area also emits similar rates of polluting thing ?

Hi Deepthi,

'A' actually address this..
"Although commercial property areas tend to emit significantly less pollution than industrial areas, they still emit more than the vehicles in the area on a given day. "

This simply means that Pollution in industrial area >>(much greater than) pollution in commercial area > (greater than) pollution caused by vehicles.

IMO A

Hope this helps.

Totally agree with need720+, there seems no better answer to it than A