LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Logical ReasoningMedium
Economist: The government's new policy, which provides subsidies to renewable energy companies, will inevitably lead to a decrease in overall national energy costs. This is because renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly efficient and less expensive to produce than traditional fossil fuels. Therefore, as more companies adopt these subsidized technologies, the market price for energy will fall.
- AMany traditional fossil fuel companies are also investing in renewable energy technologies.
- BSome renewable energy sources are intermittent, requiring backup from traditional power plants.
- CThe infrastructure required to integrate renewable energy into the national grid is costly to build and maintain.
- DThe subsidies themselves are funded by taxes levied on energy consumers.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The subsidies themselves are funded by taxes levied on energy consumers.
The economist argues that subsidies will lead to lower energy costs because renewables are cheaper to produce. However, if the subsidies are funded by taxes on energy consumers, then the 'decrease' in costs at the point of sale might be offset or even outweighed by the increased tax burden, making the overall national energy costs higher or unchanged for consumers.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This might accelerate the transition to renewables but doesn't directly weaken the claim about overall national energy costs.
- B. This points to a limitation of renewable energy, implying that traditional sources might still be necessary, but doesn't directly contradict the idea that the cost of renewable energy itself is decreasing.
- C. This suggests an additional cost associated with renewable energy, directly challenging the idea that overall costs will decrease.
Weakening an Argument
To weaken an argument, introduce new information that challenges the premises, assumptions, or the logical connection between the premises and the conclusion, making the conclusion less likely to be true.
- Identify the conclusion and the evidence used to support it.
- Look for options that introduce an alternative cause, contradict a premise, or undermine an unstated assumption.
- The correct answer makes the conclusion less probable.
Memory trick: Find the crack, create the doubt, and watch the argument fall apart.