Question:
Which of the following, if true, most strengthen the argument above?
Which of the following, if true, most strengthen the argument above?
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Look for options that directly address the energy usage comparison, especially when the argument is about a reduction in non-renewable energy consumption.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2025
- A good number of industries that have switched at least partly to new technologies have increased their output.
- Less energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, was used to manufacture the machinery employed in the new technologies than was originally used to manufacture the machinery employed in the older technologies.
- More energy, generated from renewable energy source, is used to by those industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies than by those industries that have not switched.
- Some of the industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies still primarily use technologies that are powered by non-renewable energy source.
- The amount of energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than amount that would have been used to power the older technologies.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze the argument.
The argument suggests that less non-renewable energy is being used due to industries switching to new technologies powered by renewable energy. To strengthen the argument, we need to provide evidence that shows how much less non-renewable energy is being used in comparison to the older technologies.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) A good number of industries that have switched at least partly to new technologies have increased their output: While this shows a positive effect of switching to new technologies, it doesn’t directly address the energy usage comparison.
- (B) Less energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, was used to manufacture the machinery employed in the new technologies than was originally used to manufacture the machinery employed in the older technologies: This may be relevant but focuses on the machinery production aspect, not on the overall energy consumption after the technology switch.
- (C) More energy, generated from renewable energy source, is used by those industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies than by those industries that have not switched: This addresses the shift to renewable energy but doesn’t show a direct reduction in non-renewable energy usage, which is the core of the argument.
- (D) Some of the industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies still primarily use technologies that are powered by non-renewable energy source: This weakens the argument as it suggests that non-renewable energy is still in use, which contradicts the idea of reduced non-renewable energy usage.
- (E) The amount of energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount that would have been used to power the older technologies: Correct. This directly supports the argument by confirming that less non-renewable energy is being used to power the new technologies than would have been used for the old technologies.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (E), as it provides direct evidence supporting the claim of reduced non-renewable energy use.
The argument suggests that less non-renewable energy is being used due to industries switching to new technologies powered by renewable energy. To strengthen the argument, we need to provide evidence that shows how much less non-renewable energy is being used in comparison to the older technologies.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) A good number of industries that have switched at least partly to new technologies have increased their output: While this shows a positive effect of switching to new technologies, it doesn’t directly address the energy usage comparison.
- (B) Less energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, was used to manufacture the machinery employed in the new technologies than was originally used to manufacture the machinery employed in the older technologies: This may be relevant but focuses on the machinery production aspect, not on the overall energy consumption after the technology switch.
- (C) More energy, generated from renewable energy source, is used by those industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies than by those industries that have not switched: This addresses the shift to renewable energy but doesn’t show a direct reduction in non-renewable energy usage, which is the core of the argument.
- (D) Some of the industries that have switched at least partly to the new technologies still primarily use technologies that are powered by non-renewable energy source: This weakens the argument as it suggests that non-renewable energy is still in use, which contradicts the idea of reduced non-renewable energy usage.
- (E) The amount of energy, generated from non-renewable energy source, used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount that would have been used to power the older technologies: Correct. This directly supports the argument by confirming that less non-renewable energy is being used to power the new technologies than would have been used for the old technologies.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (E), as it provides direct evidence supporting the claim of reduced non-renewable energy use.
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