GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A city council is debating a proposal to implement a city-wide composting program, arguing that it will significantly reduce landfill waste and promote environmental sustainability. Opponents express concern that the program will be too expensive for residents, leading to low participation and ultimately failing to achieve its goals. Which of the following, if true, would most exacerbate the negative outcome predicted by the opponents?
- AThe proposed composting bins are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and compact for urban dwellings.
- BA neighboring city's similar composting program achieved high participation rates despite initial cost concerns.
- CStudies indicate that a significant portion of the city's current landfill waste consists of compostable organic materials.
- DThe city plans to levy a substantial monthly fee on households for mandatory composting collection, with penalties for non-compliance.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The city plans to levy a substantial monthly fee on households for mandatory composting collection, with penalties for non-compliance.
Opponents predict low participation due to expense. If the city implements a substantial monthly fee and penalties, this directly increases the financial burden on residents, making it much more likely that their prediction of low participation due to expense will come true.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This addresses convenience and aesthetics, not directly the cost concern that leads to low participation.
- B. This weakens the opponents' concern by showing success elsewhere despite cost issues.
- C. This strengthens the proponents' argument for the program's effectiveness, but does not address or exacerbate the opponents' concern about participation due to cost.
Exacerbating a Negative Outcome
To exacerbate a negative outcome means to introduce information that would make a predicted undesirable result or consequence significantly worse, more likely to occur, or more severe.
- Focus on the specific negative outcome identified by a counter-argument.
- Introduce a factor that directly intensifies the cause of that negative outcome.
- Show how the conditions for the predicted failure are made more probable.
Memory trick: OUTCOME: Observe Underlying Trends, Consider Multiple Options, Understand the Modifiers, Evaluate.