Commentator: Although the present freshwater supply is adequate for today’s patterns of water use, the human population will increase substantially over the next few decades, drastically increasing the need for freshwater. Hence, restrictions on water use will be necessary to meet the freshwater needs of humankind in the not-too-distant future.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

Correct answer marked below

Humans will adapt to restrictions on the use of water without resorting to wasteful use of other natural resources.

The total supply of freshwater has not diminished in recent years.

The freshwater supply will not increase sufficiently to meet the increased needs of humankind.

Correct

No attempt to synthesize water will have an appreciable effect on the quantity of freshwater available.

No water conservation measure previously attempted yielded an increase in the supply of freshwater available for human use.

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What this question tests

Whether you can identify the unstated assumption a critical-reasoning argument depends on.

Picking an option that strengthens the argument or is merely relevant instead of one that is required.