Offshore natural gas extraction operations carry a significant risk of leaks, but transporting natural gas via pipelines currently poses an even higher risk per unit of gas. Therefore, to minimize the risk of leaks without reducing our consumption of natural gas, we should increase investments in offshore extraction and decrease our reliance on pipeline transport.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

Pipelines can be upgraded to significantly reduce the risk of leaks.

Correct

Leaks from pipelines have typically resulted in more severe environmental damage than those from offshore extraction.

The environmental impact of offshore extraction can be mitigated through effective regulation.

Offshore extraction often harms marine ecosystems, while pipelines do not have such effects.

Transporting natural gas via pipelines is currently cheaper than offshore extraction.

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Official Explanation

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The argument suggests that increasing offshore extraction is necessary to reduce the risk of leaks from pipeline transport. However, if pipelines can be upgraded to significantly reduce the risk of leaks, this directly challenges the necessity of investing more in…

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Comments

RohanJan 21, 2025

thanks for the answer

PrachiMar 17, 2025

thanksss

denizJul 25, 2024

this helped me

AryanApr 3, 2025

good question

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.