Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Strengthening Questions
A new hybrid motorcycle runs on both standard gasoline and electricity. However, it is believed that because every automatic switch between the use of gasoline and electricity results in a massive expenditure of gasoline, driving the new motorcycle has the same detrimental effect on the environment as the average motorcycle, which runs solely on gasoline.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens the conclusion. Since we are interested in relative petrol consumption, the preference of the motorcycling community is irrelevant and cannot help us support the conclusion.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens the conclusion. Since we are interested in the effect of driving the hybrid engine, not producing it, the production process is irrelevant and cannot help us support the conclusion.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice neither strengthens nor weakens the conclusion. Specific problems in the current performance of the hybrid motorcycle in certain cities are irrelevant to the argument. We are interested in a technical comparison (i.e., the potential and not the current performance) of hybrid and gasoline motorcycles.
Well done!
[[snippet]]This answer choice supports the conclusion by confirming the assumption that the carbon dioxide emissions of both engines are the same, proving that the bikes both have the same detrimental effect on the environment.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]This answer choice presents information that neither strengthens nor weakens the conclusion. The ability to make further improvements on both kinds of engines is irrelevant to the argument since it does not help us determine whether the hybrid engine is as damaging to the environment as the standard gasoline engine.
