Statement–Argument — Should all factories located in cities be shifted to far outskirts? Arguments: I. Yes. This is an essential step to control urban pollution. II. No. Such relocation will cause considerable inconvenience to employees and their families.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: if only Argument I is strong

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Urban environmental policy evaluates health externalities and livability. A strong argument must connect relocation to pollution reduction and public health, whereas inconvenience—though real—is not generally decisive against a major public-interest objective.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Policy: Relocate factories from cities to outskirts.
  • Arg I: Pollution control rationale.
  • Arg II: Employee/family inconvenience.


Concept / Approach:
Arguments anchored in externalities (air quality, noise, congestion) and health impacts are policy-relevant and strong. Inconvenience is a secondary cost that can be mitigated (transport, housing, staggered moves) and thus is weak as a decisive counter-argument.



Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Arg I: Relocation plausibly reduces pollutant concentration in dense urban cores, improving health outcomes. Strong.2) Arg II: While sympathetic, it does not outweigh public health and can be mitigated; hence weak.



Verification / Alternative check:
Many cities adopt zoning to separate heavy industry from residences—consistent with I. Mitigation policies routinely address II.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Choosing II or “either/both” would overstate inconvenience relative to environmental necessity.



Common Pitfalls:
Overvaluing private inconvenience over public health benefits in policy evaluation questions.



Final Answer:
If only Argument I is strong.

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