A recent study released by the government examined geographic patterns among energy use in the U.S. According to the study's results, monthly energy bills for homeowners in the eastern part of the country are higher on average than those for homeowners residing in the western U.S. Based on this finding, the study's authors concluded that homeowners in the eastern part of the country use more energy than those in the west.

Which of the following is an important assumption for the conclusion above to be true?

Correct answer marked below

Fluctuations in monthly energy bills (e.g., based on weather) were similar among the eastern and western homeowners studied.

The unit cost of energy in the eastern and western parts of the country is the same.

Correct

Monthly energy costs for renters in the eastern part of the U.S. are higher than those for renters in the west.

The average sizes of homes in the eastern and western parts of the country are significantly different.

Sources of energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, etc.) used are proportionately similar in the eastern and western U.S.

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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.