Critical Reasoning: Boldface Type Questions
Clearly, the pollution of the beaches is doubly harmful. Not only does the pollution hurt the wildlife inhabiting the stretches of the seashore but also the youth's education towards conservation is hindered by the frequenting of nature resorts which are continuously polluted. Therefore, it is extremely important that the authorities keep the beaches clean.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The fact that youth's education is harmed by going to polluted beaches does not contradict the fact that pollution hurts the wildlife, but rather strengthens the position that pollution is doubly harmful. Notice the opening of the sentence: not only... but also prepares us for two facts which add force to each other.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]The first boldface portion is not a premise, as it is based on the following data presented (and includes the conclusion word clearly). You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]While this answer choice defines the first boldface part correctly, it defines the second incorrectly. The second piece cannot by any means be an inference (conclusion) since it presents new information which is not based on other data.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]Pollution being doubly harmful is presented as an opinion, as indicated by the conclusion word clearly. You can immediately eliminate answer choices that incorrectly define the first boldface part; do not waste time reading the rest.
Right you are!
[[snippet]]The first boldfaced expresses the position of the argument, where the second is the second premise, which combines with the first premise to support the argument's position/conclusion.
