#3 - Concept Reference, Strengthen

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (D).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[tug59567]

Hello Powerscore,

I was able to narrow down the answer choices to B and D and eventually eliminated D (correct answer) for a couple of reasons.

1.) While it is implied that there might be a relationship between how underground water is impacted by the geological forces and how the waste injections would react, there is nothing that we can actually use to assume that any relationship actually exists. We can only infer that a relationship might exist. For example, maybe injected waste is much heavier than underground water and isn't impacted by the geological factors that act on underground water. I don't see how we can assume any relationship between underground water and underground waste other than one might exist.

2.) The author already says that it is "nearly impossible" to predict how geological forces will impact the injected waste, and without firmly knowing the relationship between underground water and injected waste (as to how geological forces shape each), answer choice D shouldn't have any impact on the author's point that it is "nearly impossible to predict how injected wastes will be acted on...". It doesn't strengthen their point by making it "impossible" to predict - even if the statement was true, it wouldn't change the author's original point.

My reasoning for picking answer choice B was that there could be nonhuman organisms (micro-organisms) that live in the area where deep-well injects are and play a vital role in our ecosystem. This would undoubtedly strengthen the author's argument by adding another reason why injected wastes are "a risky means of managing hazardous waste".

I apologize for the length and for the argumentative tone. I believe I can see the argument for answer choice D but answer choice B seems much simpler, doesn't rely on multiple assumptions, and still strengthens the author's overall MP.

Thank you for your invaluable time!

[KelseyWoods]

Hi tug59567!

It's good to be closely analyzing answer choices like this! You're correct that in a Strengthen question, we prefer an answer choice that relies on fewer assumptions. But, in this case, answer choice (B) is actually the answer choice that requires more assumptions and logical leaps.

Let's start by laying out the author's argument in this passage:

Main Point: Deep-well injection is a risky means of managing hazardous wastes.

Why is it so risky? The author gives us three clear reasons:
Premise 1: Possibilities of mechanical failure
Premise 2: Possibilities of human error
Premise 3: Significant uncertainty about where injected wastes will flow.

The author clearly states that the uncertainty about where injected wastes will flow is one of the main reasons that deep-well injection is risky. It's not an inference to say that there's a link between how underground water flows and where the injected wastes will flow. It comes directly from the 3rd paragraph. Answer choice (D) strengthens this part of the argument by saying that "the movement of underground water is even more rapid and less predictable than most geologists believe." If uncertainty makes it risky, and geologists know even less than they think they do, that strengthens the conclusion that deep-well injection is risky. Did the author already say that "it is nearly impossible to predict how the injected wastes will be acted on by the geological features of the injection area"? Sure! But answer choice (D) still pushes it a little bit further. And remember that strengthening by even a little bit is still strengthening. Also, answer choice (D) actually adds a bit more than it might seem like at first because it's adding in the idea of speed ("more rapid") as well.

With answer choice (B), on the other hand, we have to make more logical leaps. (B) states: "Few of the toxic substances that are commonly disposed of through deep-well injection have been thoroughly tested for their effects on nonhuman organisms." The first thing we'd have to assume here is that if the substances were tested more thoroughly, they would be found to have negative effects on nonhuman organisms. Then, we'd have to assume that having negative effects on nonhuman organisms would present some sort of risk to humans (and, yes, it would need to be a risk to humans because throughout the entire passage the author only discusses risk to humans). Assuming that further testing of toxic substances would show negative effects on nonhuman organisms and that these effects would present a risk to humans are much larger logical leaps to make than acknowledging the link between the flow of underground water and where injected wastes might flow.

Always rely first on what has been directly stated in the passage and don't forget that when strengthening/weakening an author's argument, you need to consider the full argument. Focus on the main point, but also understand what premises the author is using to support that main point since correct answer choices often strengthen/weaken the relationship between the premises and the main point.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey

[tug59567]

That helped a lot, thank you very much!

[supernerd]

Can someone walk me through why C is ruled out, please?

I was between C and D, and chose C. I suppose you have to make too many assumptions in order for C to strengthen the author's position. My thought process was that the greater the transportation distance of toxic waste materials, the more potential there is for leakage/environmental harm, but this passage doesn't talk about transportation. It talks about the hazards associated with what is happening below the ground at specific deep-well injection sites. And the rapid/unpredictable nature of groundwater has a greater potential negative impact than transporting the materials.

Whereas D definitely supports the 'third problem' directly, by stating that the unpredictable movement of groundwater flow is even more unpredictable than stated in the passage.

[Adam Tyson]

Perfect, supernerd! The question asks us to strengthen the author's position, so we should focus on what the text told us about those risks, and the text said nothing about the risks associated with transportation of waste. But the author did tell us that one of the risks is that we can't be sure how the geological features will act upon those wastes, and as you pointed out, answer D supports that claim.

The best way to go about answering a question like this is to start by doing a little research in the passage before looking at the answer choices. Go to the sections where the author talks about the risks, and remind yourself of what those risks were. The first line of the last paragraph sums them up nicely:

significant uncertainty about where injected wastes will flow, along with the possibilities of mechanical failure and human error

Now, with that simple list in mind, go to the answers and find one that supports that there could be mistakes, mechanical failures, or problems with unpredictability. Answer D stands out and is the winner! Research and prephrasing are worth the time they take because they eliminate uncertainty and protect you from being suckered by attractive wrong answers.

[lsatstudy2023]

I was caught between C and D, but I ultimately ruled out C.

My reasoning behind C was this "assumption" in my head lol; I don't think it makes sense, but I thought if the facilities using them placed them many miles away, surely there must be a reason why which for me was they are very aware of the dangers.

I went with D because it strengthened more directly without all of the assumptions

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

That's a good strategy, lsatstudy.

You want your answer in a strengthen question to strengthen based on the information in the passage, and not require any additional steps to connect it to the passage. Answer choice (C) is not really connected to the argument. There can be so many reasons that the wells would be located far from the facilities, not all of which would indicate a danger or a concern. Answer choice (D) connects directly to concerns mentioned by the author---the lack of predictability in the behavior of the rocks and the water that can be impacted by these wells.

Great work!

[TootyFrooty]

Please share why is A wrong? Thanks

[TootyFrooty]

I still don't get why the correct answer is the correct answer. It doesn't mention anything about "geologists" in the passage?