PrepTest 141, Section 4, 14. Environmentalist: Pollution from gasoline…

How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will be a conclusion supported by the passage.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

as a result consumers would pollute less

Environmentalist: [SUPPORT]. But [SUPPORT], and hence [INTERMEDIATE CONCLUSION]. [SUPPORT], [CONCLUSION].

The argument here basically says the cost of pollution isn’t baked in to gas prices, so it doesn’t affect “decisions about how much to drive.” If it were baked in, “consumers would pollute less.” It’s not a big leap, but that change in the wording means the author changed the subject. They’re only giving support for an effect on “how much to drive” but making a conclusion about pollution. The right answer will connect those dots more explicitly.

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) …The cost of pollution from driving should not be reflected in the price of gasoline…

Stop. The environmentalist’s argument only supports the opposite position. Get out of here (A)!

(B) …increase consumers’ awareness of the kinds of environmental problems…

“Consumers’ awareness” isn’t actually in the passage at all, so this couldn’t be a good conclusion. The passage is basically making an argument about supply and demand. Maybe a protest, or some PSAs during the Super Bowl would increase awareness, but not higher gas prices.

(C) Consumers would purchase less gasoline…

Now we’re cooking with gas! (see what I did there? :D) The passage skipped over this bit, but if they’re really gonna “pollute less” that means the higher gas prices actually make them use less gas, which the passage says is what causes pollution. Boom.

(D) The only cost considered…

Huh? The passage says gas prices have some effect on how much people drive. There’s absolutely no support for that being the “only” factor.

(E) …will be reduced only if…

The passage talks about one and only one factor in reducing that nasty pollution. There’s no support for this answer saying nothing else will work.

(C) is the correct answer.

Common pattern/s in this question: No doubt, recognizing that the author changed the subject helps keep you focused on the wording the right answer is going to address.