Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 46%

Based on the evidence from the passage, which of the following is the most likely inference?

Rationale

Plastic makes life convenient, but its use has so many drawbacks that its use should be reduced.

The passage suggests that while plastic has its conveniences, its disadvantages are considerable and potentially outweigh its benefits. This inference reflects a balanced view acknowledging both the utility and the adverse impact of plastic, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability.

A (If we increased production of single-use plastic packaging, more plastic would be recycled.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is not directly supported by the text. While increased production might lead to more plastic available for recycling, it does not necessarily mean that more plastic will be recycled. The passage does not provide evidence to suggest that recycling rates would proportionately increase with production.

B (Plastic makes life convenient, but its use has so many drawbacks that its use should be reduced.) CORRECT

This choice aligns with the inference that plastic, despite its convenience, has significant drawbacks that necessitate its reduction. The passage suggests that the negative impacts of plastic use, presumably on the environment, are substantial enough to call for a decrease in its use.

C (The best thing about plastic is that it is recyclable; a renewable resource, most of the plastic that has been produced has been recycled.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not state or imply that most of the plastic produced has been recycled. While plastic is recyclable, the actual rates of recycling may not be high. Furthermore, the passage doesn't identify recyclability as the best feature of plastic.

D (A renewable resource, most of the plastic that has been recycled.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is incomplete and doesn't form a coherent inference from the passage. Moreover, the passage does not provide evidence to suggest that most plastic has been recycled.

Conclusion

The passage supports the inference that, while plastic offers convenience, its drawbacks are significant enough to warrant a reduction in use. Other options either misrepresent the passage's content or make unsupported assumptions about plastic production and recycling. Therefore, the most accurate inference based on the passage is that the drawbacks of plastic use necessitate its reduction.

Related Questions

View all