Question: Studies indicate that the rate at which water pollution is increasing is levelling off: the amount of water pollution caused this year is almost identical to the amount caused last year. If this trend continues, the water pollution problem will no longer be getting more serious.

The reasoning is questionable because it ignores the possibility that

(A) some types of water pollution have no noticeable effect on organisms that use the water
(B) the types of water pollution caused this year are less dangerous than those caused last year
(C) the levelling-off trend of water pollution will not continue
(D) air and soil pollution are becoming more serious
(E) the effects of water pollution are cumulative

Correct Answer: E
Explanation:

In the GMAT's critical reasoning section, you are tested on your analytical and critical thinking skills. To give a clear answer, a person needs to have strong cognitive skills.
All the choices need to be analyzed critically to come to a conclusion. Only one of the given 5 choices will be correct. The candidate has to find the correct choice by checking various aspects.

The quantity of water pollution caused this year is comparable to the amount caused last year, which suggests that the rate at which it is increasing is leveling off. If this pattern holds, the problem of water contamination won't be growing worse.

stimulus: claims that the rate of water pollution growth has bottomed off, the level of water pollution this year is the same as last year, and that in the future, water pollution will not be a concern.

If water pollution has a cumulative effect, then this year's pollution levels are twice as high as previous year's.

Given in passage that the quantity of water pollution caused this year is about comparable to the amount caused last year, which suggests that the rate at which it is increasing is levelling off. If this pattern holds, the problem of water contamination won't be growing worse.

If more is cumulative, it will weaken. Water pollution is at an all-time high and becoming worse every year.
What if the level is quite high right now. The argument presupposes that the existing effect is not harmful. Any assertion that does so will make the assertion weaker.

Let’s check the given choices -

A: Incorrect

It is an incorrect choice. There are several types of water pollution that have no discernible impact on aquatic life. This phrase strengthen as opposed to weaken
It has to be eliminated.

B: Incorrect

It is the wrong choice. B says this year's water contamination is less harmful than last year's, in terms of its nature. No impact or promise for the following year. It has to be eliminated.

C: Incorrect

It is an incorrect answer. The trend of water pollution levelling off won't last. It strengthens rather than erodes

D: Incorrect

It is an incorrect answer. The severity of air and soil pollution is rising. lacks discussion of water pollution

E: Correct

It is the correct choice. Water contamination has cumulative impacts. This will undermine the claim that water contamination is still a concern even if its effects are cumulative.

“Studies indicate that the rate at which water pollution is increasing” – is a GMATCritical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

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