Recently, motorists have begun purchasing more and more fuel-efficient economy and hybrid cars that consume fewer gallons of gasoline per mile traveled. With that trend, there has been debate as to whether we can conclude that these purchases will actually lead to an overall reduction in the total consumption of gasoline across all motorists. The answer is no, since motorists with more fuel-efficient vehicles are likely to drive more total miles than they did before switching to a more fuel-efficient car, negating the gains from higher fuel-efficiency.

Which of the following best describes the roles of the portions in bold?

1)The first describes a premise that is accepted as true; the second introduces a conclusion that is opposed by the argument as a whole.

2)The first states a position taken by the argument; the second introduces a conclusion that is refuted by additional evidence.

3)The first is evidence that has been used to support a position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second provides information to undermine the force of that evidence.

4)The first is a conclusion that is later shown to be false; the second is the evidence by which that conclusion is proven false.

5)The first is a premise that is later shown to be false; the second is a conclusion that is later shown to be false.


OA A

Source: Veritas Prep