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Question

Use the article below to answer the questions.

Taking out the trash has become a major issue in America. As the world's population has increased, so has the amount of waste generated. On average. each American generates four and a half pounds of solid waste per day, Where does all of the waste end up going? For years trash has been picked up from homes and placed in local landfills Now, however, many municipal landfills are approaching the allowable capacity and the alternatives are limited. Building new landfills is extremely expensive and not necessarily the most popular choice. Landfills are increasingly unpopular with a more environmentally conscious generation of young people. Landfills are unattractive, they have the potential to contaminate groundwater. and they have a very unpleasant odor that can drift for miles on a windy day. So what can be done to improve the situation? There are many possible alternatives to placing all of the waste in landfills. As a consumer, you can make a difference by purchasing products and packaging made with recycled material using your own cloth shopping bag and purchasing fewer disposable products. Finally, by sharing this information with others more people can begin to make a difference.

Stimulus Question #: 1

Which of the following is the most logical conclusion based on the article? ....

A.More municipal landfills will be built for the next generation and funded by taxpayers

B.Americans will generate more waste per day in the future. C.Eventually the amount of waste generated could exceed landfill capacity

D.The use of recycled materials will eliminate the need for new landfills

Answer 1

The answer is:

C. Eventually the amount of waste generated could exceed landfill capacity.

This is the logical conclusion. The writer indicates that landfills *are approaching* capacity and provides the supporting evidence of the consumption statistic. They then posit *the possibility* of this being prevented.

The answer is not:

A.More municipal landfills will be built for the next generation and funded by taxpayers.

The writer has not alluded to nor predicted any such plan.

B. Americans will generate more waste per day in the future.

The writer does not forecast this. The passage speaks to the the amount of waste being generated *at the present moment* and argues for the possibility that this might not happen.

D.The use of recycled materials will eliminate the need for new landfills.

The writer does not forecast the elimination of landfills.