- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8950
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:02 pm
#36501
Complete Question Explanation
Strengthen. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus begins with its conclusion: Nuclear power plants are not economically feasible.
Although the fuel costs associated with nuclear plants are lower, favoring nuclear power, nuclear
power plants are far more expensive to build than conventional power plants. These additional
expenses outweigh the fuel savings associated with nuclear plants as compared with conventional
plants.
The question stem asks which of the answer choices, if true, most strengthens the argument. The
correct answer choice will be one that further demonstrates that nuclear plants are not economically
feasible, either by introducing other detriments associated with nuclear plants, or more information
on further benefi ts provided by conventional plants.
Answer choice (A): Because this answer discusses increased safety costs which can apply to
both types of power plants, it cannot strengthen the argument that nuclear power plants are not
economically feasible. While this statement would strengthen an argument that both types of power
plants are too costly, the correct answer choice must offer evidence which distinguishes the two
types of plants, in favor of conventional power.
Answer choice (B): If conventional plants spend more time out of service than nuclear plants, this
weakens the argument. Since this statement would strengthen an argument in favor of nuclear plants,
based on their apparently greater reliability, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. If the average life expectancy of a nuclear
plant is shorter than that of a conventional one, this would strengthen an argument against nuclear
plants—this choice provides, as prephrased, a further demonstration of the greater costs associated
with nuclear plants, supporting the conclusion that they are not economically feasible.
Answer choice (D): If nuclear power plants cost less to build today than when the technology was
first developed, thus increasing their cost effectiveness, this would weaken the author’s conclusion
that nuclear power plants are not economically feasible.
Answer choice (E): If the cost of running a conventional power plant will increase, this would lend
support to the notion of building nuclear power plants for economic reasons. Since this weakens the
author’s conclusion, it is incorrect.
Strengthen. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus begins with its conclusion: Nuclear power plants are not economically feasible.
Although the fuel costs associated with nuclear plants are lower, favoring nuclear power, nuclear
power plants are far more expensive to build than conventional power plants. These additional
expenses outweigh the fuel savings associated with nuclear plants as compared with conventional
plants.
The question stem asks which of the answer choices, if true, most strengthens the argument. The
correct answer choice will be one that further demonstrates that nuclear plants are not economically
feasible, either by introducing other detriments associated with nuclear plants, or more information
on further benefi ts provided by conventional plants.
Answer choice (A): Because this answer discusses increased safety costs which can apply to
both types of power plants, it cannot strengthen the argument that nuclear power plants are not
economically feasible. While this statement would strengthen an argument that both types of power
plants are too costly, the correct answer choice must offer evidence which distinguishes the two
types of plants, in favor of conventional power.
Answer choice (B): If conventional plants spend more time out of service than nuclear plants, this
weakens the argument. Since this statement would strengthen an argument in favor of nuclear plants,
based on their apparently greater reliability, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. If the average life expectancy of a nuclear
plant is shorter than that of a conventional one, this would strengthen an argument against nuclear
plants—this choice provides, as prephrased, a further demonstration of the greater costs associated
with nuclear plants, supporting the conclusion that they are not economically feasible.
Answer choice (D): If nuclear power plants cost less to build today than when the technology was
first developed, thus increasing their cost effectiveness, this would weaken the author’s conclusion
that nuclear power plants are not economically feasible.
Answer choice (E): If the cost of running a conventional power plant will increase, this would lend
support to the notion of building nuclear power plants for economic reasons. Since this weakens the
author’s conclusion, it is incorrect.