天山-4-32

Delta products, Inc., has recently switch at least partly from older technologies using fossil fuels to new technologies powered by electricity.  The question has been raised whether it can be concluded that for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly.  The answer, clearly, is yes, since the smount of fossil fuel used to generate the electricity needed to power the new technologies is less than the amount needed to power the older technologies, provided that the level of output is held constant.

In the argument given, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A. The first identifies the content of the conclusion of the argument; the second provides support for that conclusion.

B. The first provides support for the conclusion of the argument; the second identifies the content of that conclusion.

C. The first states the position that the argement opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument.

D. Each provides evidence that calls the conclusion of the argument into question.

E. Each provides support for the conclusion of the argument.

Answer: E, why not A?

So, doesn't it help to indentify the content of the conclusion?  Because Delta switch to new technologies ==> therefore, “for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly.”

I still don't understand the reason why A is worng....

the content of the conclusion of the argument is :for a given level of output, Delta's operation now causes less fossil fuel to be consumed than it did formerly, the first is not the content of the conclusion, so A is wrong.

I don't think E is perfect, either, but I can't find anything better.

(1,2)->clearly;

没有1, 仅有2, 无法得到结论;

有1, 而没有2, 一样得不到结论;

欧认为是A, content 是上下文的意思，第一个 BF 只是说明情况，没有它不影响结论的推导。

Yes, it helps, but only "HELPS". Because it HELPS, it supports the conclusion!

content 是 内容  context 是 上下文

结论是中间的两句话。第一句话 引出 结论；最后一句支持结论。

我选E。

比较confused一个问题，个人支持A。认为A的  identify 这个词用的很好。不过GWD中以前讨论过的一道题刚开始由一个fact引导出结论，答案是支持。这里个人感觉A更好。

iden*ti*fy   
          identify  identifies  identifying  identified      
1     If you can identify someone or something, you are able to recognize them or distinguish them from others.
  There are a number of distinguishing characteristics by which you can identify a Hollywood epic...
     VERB: V n  
     
2     If you identify someone or something, you name them or say who or what they are.
  olice have already identified around 10 murder suspects...
  The reporters identified one of the six Americans as an Army Specialist...
     VERB: V n, V n as n/-ing  
     = name  
3     If you identify something, you discover or notice its existence.
  Scientists claim to have identified natural substances with cancer-combating properties...
     VERB: V n  
     = discover  
4     If a particular thing identifies someone or something, it makes them easy to recognize, by making them different in some way.
  She wore a little nurse's hat on her head to identify her...
  His boots and purple beret identify him as commanding the Scottish Paratroops.
     VERB: V n, V n as -ing/n  
     = distinguish  
5     If you identify with someone or something, you feel that you understand them or their feelings and ideas.
  She would only play a role if she could identify with the character...
     VERB: V with n  
     
6     If you identify one person or thing with another, you think that they are closely associated or involved in some way.
  She hates playing the sweet, passive women that audiences identify her with...
  The candidates all want to identify themselves with reform.
     VERB: V n with n, V pron-refl with n  
     = associate  
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