GMAT Focus EditionVerbal ReasoningHard
A city council is considering a proposal to ban all single-use plastic bags, arguing that this measure will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste entering local landfills. A local environmental group supports the ban, claiming it will also lead to a noticeable decrease in plastic pollution in the city's waterways. Which of the following statements, if true, would most seriously challenge the environmental group's claim?
- ASingle-use plastic bags constitute less than 1% of the total plastic pollution found in the city's waterways.
- BThe ban is expected to encourage residents to switch to reusable bags made from durable, long-lasting materials.
- CNeighboring cities that implemented similar bans have reported a decrease in overall plastic consumption.
- DA significant portion of plastic waste in local landfills comes from industrial sources, not household waste.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Single-use plastic bags constitute less than 1% of the total plastic pollution found in the city's waterways.
The environmental group claims the ban will lead to a *noticeable decrease* in plastic pollution in waterways. If single-use plastic bags make up less than 1% of that pollution, then banning them, even if 100% effective, would result in a reduction too small to be 'noticeable', directly challenging the group's specific claim.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This supports the general positive effects of the ban but doesn't challenge the specific claim about *noticeable decrease* in waterway pollution.
- C. This suggests the ban is effective in reducing consumption, but doesn't address whether that reduction would translate to a *noticeable* decrease in *waterway* pollution if bags are a minor component.
- D. This challenges the *city council's* claim about landfill waste, but not directly the *environmental group's* claim about waterway pollution.
Challenging Claim Efficacy
Questioning whether a proposed action will achieve its specifically stated effect to the degree claimed, often by highlighting a disproportionate impact or minor contribution.
- Focuses on the magnitude or significance of the claimed outcome.
- Often involves numerical or proportional information.
- Challenges the 'noticeable' or 'significant' aspect of a claim.
Memory trick: Don't just hit the target; make sure your arrow actually moves it.