#23 - Editor: The city's previous recycling program, which

[Adam Tyson]

We don't need to assume that it would have that effect, but only recognize that it could have that effect. If answer D is true, it should at least make us think a little harder about the author's argument and raise some doubts about whether they are correct or not. That's all a good Weaken answer has to do! We don't need proof that they are wrong. We just need something that raises some doubts about their conclusion.

[ethansamuelharris@gmail.com]

Hi, why isn't it C? If the new program takes less time, doesn't that mean it will be more cost effective?

[Adam Tyson]

Not necessarily, Ethan! Less time might still involve higher costs overall, or the same cost. If it takes half the time but you do it twice as often, where's the benefit? Plus this doesn't address the key element of the argument, which is whether more recyclables will be collected or not. That's the part that the author thinks is absurd.

[aspiringdefender]

I still really don't see how D (right answer) is a better answer than C. They are equally appealing to me, and I had a very hard time choosing between them. In C, less time to collect recyclables seems to come with the assumption that they have more time to make it to more places to pick more more recyclables, thus making it so that there is a greater volume collected in total. In D, one might assume that the schedule being easier for people to follow makes it so that they always put out their recyclables and thus also contribute to a greater volume of recyclables overall. C seems somewhat stronger to me, so that is what I chose. Am I missing something here?

[Jeff Wren]

Hi aspiring,

First, if you haven't already done so, I'd recommend reading Jeremy's earlier post (Post #12) that addresses the problem with Answer C. It can be found here:

viewtopic.php?f=471&t=12993&start=10

As Jeremy points out, the problem with Answer C are the words "a recyclables pickup" (my emphasis). In other words, this answer is not saying that the total amount of time picking up the recyclables will be less under the weekly schedule. If it did say that, then it would weaken the argument, as something that takes less time is generally more cost effective, all else being equal.

However, what this answer actually says is merely that each individual pickup will take less time, but the weekly schedule still has twice as many pickups as the biweekly schedule. Unless we knew that two weekly pickups together took less time than one biweekly pickup, this wouldn't weaken the argument.

As for Answer D, it is reasonable to assume that the easier a rule, practice, requirement, etc. is to follow, the more likely people are to follow that rule, practice, requirement. While outside information isn't needed to answer this question, if you've ever had experience trying to follow the confusing rules about exactly what is and is not allowed to go in your recycling bin, you'll understand why many people don't bother recycling everything that they could recycle.