A city's government has decided to impose a fee on single-use plastic bags at retail stores, arguing that this will significantly reduce plastic waste. A similar policy implemented in another city led to a 40% reduction in plastic bag usage within a year. Officials claim that since consumer behavior is similar across cities, their city should expect a comparable reduction in plastic waste.

Which of the following must be assumed for the argument to be logically valid?

Correct answer marked below

The fee imposed on plastic bags will be high enough to deter most consumers from purchasing them.

Retail stores in the city will comply fully with the policy and not find ways to distribute plastic bags without charging the mandated fee.

The availability of alternative packaging materials, such as paper or reusable bags, will not lead to an increase in overall waste production.

Consumers in the city are not already using fewer plastic bags than those in the city where the policy was previously implemented.

Factors other than the plastic bag fee, such as public awareness campaigns or environmental policies, did not cause the reduction in the other city.

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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.