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- Thu Apr 14, 2016 11:17 am
#23039
Complete Question Explanation
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
The stimulus concludes that designating land as a wilderness area does not necessarily violate the multiple-use philosophy, even though it may not provide the greatest dollar return. Why? Because "multiple use" requires the optimal utilization of resources to meet the present and future needs of the public, which is seen as consistent with the wilderness philosophy of providing the greatest overall benefit from that site.
The two designations ("wilderness area" and "multiple use") are only consistent if we assume that meeting the present and future needs of the public factors in some non-monetary needs that can be gained from the wilderness designation. If the needs of the public were strictly financial, on the other hand, and "wilderness" use did not ensure the greatest dollar return, the two designations would be incompatible.
Answer choice (A): How natural resources should be used is not something the author assumes — imperatives rarely make for good necessary assumptions. Furthermore, natural resources play no role in this argument. Even if they were not to be used in a way that most greatly benefits present and future generations, wilderness designations can still be consistent with multiple use. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): If designating a wilderness area prevented any exploitation of natural resources in that area, it is even less likely that the conditions for "multiple use" would be met. This answer choice weakens the argument and is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): While this answer choice would strengthen the argument by ensuring that the needs of the public are coextensive with the philosophy behind wilderness area designations, it is not necessary that designating greater numbers of wilderness areas provide the optimal way to meet those needs. Even if there is a better way to meet them, the author's conclusion still holds true. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the needs of the public were strictly financial and "wilderness" use did not ensure the greatest dollar return, the two designations would be incompatible and the argument would be undermined as a result.
Answer choice (E): Comparing the relative importance of future needs to present needs is irrelevant and unnecessary for the conclusion to be true. This answer choice is incorrect.
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
The stimulus concludes that designating land as a wilderness area does not necessarily violate the multiple-use philosophy, even though it may not provide the greatest dollar return. Why? Because "multiple use" requires the optimal utilization of resources to meet the present and future needs of the public, which is seen as consistent with the wilderness philosophy of providing the greatest overall benefit from that site.
The two designations ("wilderness area" and "multiple use") are only consistent if we assume that meeting the present and future needs of the public factors in some non-monetary needs that can be gained from the wilderness designation. If the needs of the public were strictly financial, on the other hand, and "wilderness" use did not ensure the greatest dollar return, the two designations would be incompatible.
Answer choice (A): How natural resources should be used is not something the author assumes — imperatives rarely make for good necessary assumptions. Furthermore, natural resources play no role in this argument. Even if they were not to be used in a way that most greatly benefits present and future generations, wilderness designations can still be consistent with multiple use. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): If designating a wilderness area prevented any exploitation of natural resources in that area, it is even less likely that the conditions for "multiple use" would be met. This answer choice weakens the argument and is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): While this answer choice would strengthen the argument by ensuring that the needs of the public are coextensive with the philosophy behind wilderness area designations, it is not necessary that designating greater numbers of wilderness areas provide the optimal way to meet those needs. Even if there is a better way to meet them, the author's conclusion still holds true. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the needs of the public were strictly financial and "wilderness" use did not ensure the greatest dollar return, the two designations would be incompatible and the argument would be undermined as a result.
Answer choice (E): Comparing the relative importance of future needs to present needs is irrelevant and unnecessary for the conclusion to be true. This answer choice is incorrect.
