Question

Economist: The price of tap water in our region should be raised drastically. Supplies in local freshwater reservoirs have been declining for years because water is being used faster than it can be replenished. Since the price of tap water has been low, few users have bothered to adopt even easy conservation measures. The two sections in boldface play which of the following roles in the economist's argument?(A) The first is a conclusion for which support is provided, and which in turn supports the main conclusion; the second is the main conclusion.(B) The first is an observation for which the second provides an explanation; the second is the main conclusion but not the only conclusion.(C) The first is a premise supporting the argument's main conclusion; so is the second.(D) The first is the only conclusion; the second provides an explanation for the first.(E) The first is the main conclusion; the second is a conclusion for which support is provided, and which in turn supports the first.

Answer 1

(C) The first is a premise supporting the argument's main conclusion; so is the second.

Explanation:

The two sections in boldface are "Supplies in local freshwater reservoirs have been declining for years" and "few users have bothered to adopt even easy conservation measures"

In the economist's argument, both highlighted sections are premises giving the reason why the price of tap water should be drastically raised.

The conclusion of the argument is that the supply of water be drastically raised, the two boldfaced sections are just premises on which the conclusion is based.