State researchers have found that since the oil price increases of the 1970s, there has been a decline in home energy...

clmsntigers01 July 22, 2018

How does choice E strengthen?

I understand choice E gives a majority percentage which strengthens the researcher's conclusion, but choice E describes water usage, not energy consumption.

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Mehran July 23, 2018

Hi @clmsntigers01, thanks for your post.

This is a Bizarro question - meaning that four of the answer choices DO support the conclusion in the stimulus, whereas one (the correct answer) does NOT.

First, let's be sure we are clear on the stimulus itself. Here, we are presented with an argument, the conclusion of which is "almost all of the decline [in home energy consumption] has been achieved through reduced standards of living and changes in the way people spend their time.

There's no real support for this conclusion in the stimulus. The question stem asks us to identify the ONE answer that does NOT support the conclusion.

Answer choice (E) DOES strengthen the conclusion that people have "reduced standards of living" and changed the way they spend their time - at least 60% of households include members who are taking shorter showers. Showers don't just use water. They also take energy - a hot shower requires a hot water tank/electrical power.

Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.