Q17 - Mateo: Global warming has caused

[Laura Damone]

Question Type:
Principle Support

Stimulus Breakdown:
Conclusion: The automobile industry should be required to help pay for the villagers' relocation.

Premises: Global warming has caused permafrost to melt under several arctic villages, forcing villagers to relocate at great expense. Pollution from automobiles is a major contributor to global warming.

Answer Anticipation:
Principle Support questions tend to work like Sufficient Assumption questions: The correct answer bridges the gap between a concept in the premises and a new concept introduced in the conclusion. Often in Principle Support questions, that new concept is a recommendation, and this question is no exception. Anticipate by filling in the parentheticals in this sentence: "If (concepts from premise), then (recommendation in conclusion)." That gives you: "If an industry is part of the cause of something, then that industry should pay for the effects of that thing."

When evaluating answers, the first test is whether the principle would allow you to conclude the recommendation: that the auto industry should pay. The second test is whether we know the auto industry fulfills the "if" clause. A principle that says "If unicorns are real, then that auto industry should pay" would pass the first test but fail the second.

Correct answer:
D

Answer choice analysis:
(A) This principle would allow us to conclude that the industry should pay, so it passes the first test. But it fails the second test because we can't prove that the auto industry should have known that damage would result from its activities. Eliminate!

(B) This principle would allow us to conclude that the auto industry should minimize harm to the environment, not pay the relocation cost! Eliminate!

(C) This principle would allow us to conclude that the government shouldn't pay unless the auto industry does, too. That's not the same as concluding the auto industry should pay. Eliminate!

(D) Bingo! This principle allows us to conclude that an industry should pay for the costly damage caused by the use of its products. We can apply that to the situation of the auto industry and the damage to arctic villages and conclude that the industry should pay the relocation cost.

(E) Nope. This principle allows us to conclude that the auto industry should only pay for the relocation costs if it has a general obligation to help pay for all global warming damage. That's way off base.

Takeaway/Pattern:
The first step in a Principle Support question with a recommendation in the conclusion is to prephrase a principle that allows you to make that recommendation. Do so by saying "If (concepts from premise), then (recommendation in conclusion)." When evaluating answers, the first test is whether the principle would allow you to reach the right conclusion. Look for the format "X --> You should Y" with Y being the appropriate recommendation. If an answer passes the first test, the second test is whether the premises fulfill the sufficient condition of the principle. If your prephrase is " X --> You should Y," your premises need to prove X.

#officialexplanation