After a comprehensive 2019 study of carbon pricing policies across twelve nations, environmental economist Dr. Sarah Chen found that carbon...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
After a comprehensive 2019 study of carbon pricing policies across twelve nations, environmental economist Dr. Sarah Chen found that carbon taxes significantly reduced emissions without harming economic growth. This finding may lead policymakers who have long argued that environmental regulations inevitably damage economies to ______ that effective climate action and economic prosperity can coexist.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
concede
dismiss
challenge
mandate
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'After a comprehensive 2019 study of carbon pricing policies across twelve nations, environmental economist Dr. Sarah Chen found that carbon taxes significantly reduced emissions without harming economic growth.' |
|
| 'This finding may lead policymakers who have long argued that environmental regulations inevitably damage economies to' |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| 'that effective climate action and economic prosperity can coexist.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: New research evidence may force policymakers to reconsider their long-held belief that environmental regulations necessarily harm economic growth.
Argument Flow: The passage presents research findings that directly contradict a widely-held belief among policymakers. The study provides concrete evidence that carbon taxes can reduce emissions while preserving economic growth, which challenges the assumption that environmental and economic goals are incompatible.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The logical relationship here is key. We have policymakers who have long argued that environmental regulations inevitably damage economies, but now they are faced with research showing that carbon taxes significantly reduced emissions without harming economic growth. This creates a direct contradiction between their long-held belief and new evidence.
- When people are presented with strong evidence that contradicts their established position, the logical response would be to acknowledge or admit that their previous stance may have been wrong. The word we need should capture this idea of reluctantly accepting or admitting something that goes against what they previously believed.
concede
✓ Correct
- Concede means to admit or acknowledge something as true, often reluctantly. This perfectly captures what policymakers would do when faced with evidence contradicting their long-held belief.
dismiss
✗ Incorrect
- Dismiss means to reject or disregard something. This would contradict the logical flow - if the finding may lead them somewhere, it should be toward accepting the evidence, not rejecting it.
challenge
✗ Incorrect
- Challenge means to dispute or question something. This does not make logical sense given that the research supports coexistence - there is no reason to challenge what the evidence actually proves.
mandate
✗ Incorrect
- Mandate means to require or command something. Policymakers do not have the authority to mandate that climate action and economic prosperity can coexist - this describes a possibility, not something to be required.