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Because of the lack of a comprehensive rail system in the United State
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10 Sep 2025, 05:28
10 Sep 2025, 05:28
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Question 1
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Because of the lack of a comprehensive rail system in the United States, shipping relies greatly on the trucking industry, and hence on diesel fuel. Diesel consumption is therefore a major issue to be addressed in regards to not only air quality but also American dependence on foreign sources of oil. One proposed solution involves biofuels, which produce cleaner emissions than fossil fuels, but the use of corn and soy, traditionally food stocks, for production of biofuels has sparked a high rate of inflation in food prices around the world. Algae have also been proposed as a possible solution to this problem. Because half of algae's weight is lipid oil, and extraction is a simple process, it could serve as a more efficient alternative to corn- and soy-based oils. Given the successful use of algae for fuel production, the US government should begin production of algae biofuel plants to offset the detrimental effects of diesel fuel consumption by the trucking industry.
Which of the following statements, if true, casts the most doubt on the conclusion that the government should begin production of algae biofuel plants?
(A) Oil prices have been rising at a steady rate for more than 10 years.
(B) The high cost of algae-based biofuels will discourage the trucking industry from embracing the new fuel.
(C) Increased domestic oil production would offset dependence on foreign oil and reduce prices.
(D) Many types of algae cannot be used for biofuel production.
(E) Many farmers strongly support the use of corn and soy biofuel's.
(A) Oil prices have been rising at a steady rate for more than 10 years.
(B) The high cost of algae-based biofuels will discourage the trucking industry from embracing the new fuel.
(C) Increased domestic oil production would offset dependence on foreign oil and reduce prices.
(D) Many types of algae cannot be used for biofuel production.
(E) Many farmers strongly support the use of corn and soy biofuel's.
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Re: Because of the lack of a comprehensive rail system in the United State
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04 Oct 2025, 00:49
04 Oct 2025, 00:49
Expert Reply
Argument Analysis
1. Premise/Problem: Diesel consumption in trucking is a major issue (air quality and foreign oil dependence).
2. Proposed Solution: Algae biofuel is proposed as a solution because it's efficient, produces cleaner emissions, and avoids food-price inflation associated with corn/soy-based biofuels.
3. Conclusion: The US government should begin production of algae biofuel plants to offset the detrimental effects of diesel.
Goal
To cast doubt, we need a statement that suggests the government's action (beginning production of algae biofuel plants) will not solve the problem or will lead to an unforeseen negative consequence.
Evaluation of Options
- (A) Oil prices have been rising at a steady rate for more than 10 years.
- This supports the premise that dependence on diesel is a problem, but it doesn't challenge the effectiveness of the algae solution. (No doubt cast)
- (B) The high cost of algae-based biofuels will discourage the trucking industry from embracing the new fuel.
- This is the strongest challenger. The conclusion relies on the idea that producing the biofuel will offset the negative effects of diesel. If the fuel is too expensive, the trucking industry-the intended user-will not switch from diesel. If they don't switch, the new biofuel plants will fail to reduce diesel consumption, rendering the government's investment ineffective. (Strong doubt cast)
- (C) Increased domestic oil production would offset dependence on foreign oil and reduce prices.
- This introduces an alternative solution, but it doesn't weaken the viability of the algae solution or the need to address air quality (which oil production does not solve). (Minor doubt, but not the most damaging)
- (D) Many types of algae cannot be used for biofuel production.
- The passage states algae can be used. This statement only suggests the production process might be narrower than expected, not that the overall process is impractical or that the trucking industry won't use it. (Weak doubt)
- (E) Many farmers strongly support the use of corn and soy biofuels.
- This is irrelevant. The core argument is about the negative effects of corn/soy use (food inflation), not the farmers' support for the program. (Irrelevant)
The statement that most directly undermines the conclusion by suggesting the proposed solution won't be adopted by the relevant industry is (B).
The correct choice is (B).
1. Premise/Problem: Diesel consumption in trucking is a major issue (air quality and foreign oil dependence).
2. Proposed Solution: Algae biofuel is proposed as a solution because it's efficient, produces cleaner emissions, and avoids food-price inflation associated with corn/soy-based biofuels.
3. Conclusion: The US government should begin production of algae biofuel plants to offset the detrimental effects of diesel.
Goal
To cast doubt, we need a statement that suggests the government's action (beginning production of algae biofuel plants) will not solve the problem or will lead to an unforeseen negative consequence.
Evaluation of Options
- (A) Oil prices have been rising at a steady rate for more than 10 years.
- This supports the premise that dependence on diesel is a problem, but it doesn't challenge the effectiveness of the algae solution. (No doubt cast)
- (B) The high cost of algae-based biofuels will discourage the trucking industry from embracing the new fuel.
- This is the strongest challenger. The conclusion relies on the idea that producing the biofuel will offset the negative effects of diesel. If the fuel is too expensive, the trucking industry-the intended user-will not switch from diesel. If they don't switch, the new biofuel plants will fail to reduce diesel consumption, rendering the government's investment ineffective. (Strong doubt cast)
- (C) Increased domestic oil production would offset dependence on foreign oil and reduce prices.
- This introduces an alternative solution, but it doesn't weaken the viability of the algae solution or the need to address air quality (which oil production does not solve). (Minor doubt, but not the most damaging)
- (D) Many types of algae cannot be used for biofuel production.
- The passage states algae can be used. This statement only suggests the production process might be narrower than expected, not that the overall process is impractical or that the trucking industry won't use it. (Weak doubt)
- (E) Many farmers strongly support the use of corn and soy biofuels.
- This is irrelevant. The core argument is about the negative effects of corn/soy use (food inflation), not the farmers' support for the program. (Irrelevant)
The statement that most directly undermines the conclusion by suggesting the proposed solution won't be adopted by the relevant industry is (B).
The correct choice is (B).
gmatclubot
Re: Because of the lack of a comprehensive rail system in the United State [#permalink]
04 Oct 2025, 00:49
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