Officials are considering placing the sturgeon on the endangered species list. If such an action is taken, ships, including those that carry goods and produce, will not be allowed to travel on the large rivers in our region that serve as breeding grounds for the fish. If ship travel were restricted in this way, critics argue, prices for goods and produce would rise in the region, and some businesses might even be forced to close.
6) If the argument about rising prices is true, then which of the following is also likely to be true?
A) The sturgeon population in the region has decreased significantly in the last decade.
B) All other means of transporting goods and produce in the region are costlier than shipping.
C) Over the years several large cities have developed along the region’s large rivers.
D) Consumer demand for goods and produce is greater in this region than in other regions.
The only statement that meets the criterion of "rising prices" is B.
To determine which statement is likely to be true based on the argument about rising prices, we need to analyze the information given. The argument states that if ship travel is restricted on the rivers, prices for goods and produce would rise in the region and some businesses might even be forced to close.
Option A) The sturgeon population in the region has decreased significantly in the last decade.
This statement is not directly related to the argument about rising prices. Although the officials are considering placing the sturgeon on the endangered species list, a decrease in the sturgeon population does not necessarily imply a rise in prices for goods and produce. Therefore, option A is not likely to be true based on the argument.
Option B) All other means of transporting goods and produce in the region are costlier than shipping.
This statement supports the argument because if ship travel is restricted, it implies that other means of transportation, which could potentially be costlier, would be required. If other means of transportation are indeed costlier than shipping, it could lead to an increase in prices for goods and produce. Therefore, option B is likely to be true based on the argument.
Option C) Over the years, several large cities have developed along the region's large rivers.
This statement does not directly relate to the argument about rising prices. The development of large cities along the rivers does not necessarily have a direct impact on the prices of goods and produce. Therefore, option C is not likely to be true based on the argument.
Option D) Consumer demand for goods and produce is greater in this region than in other regions.
This statement is not directly related to the argument about rising prices. Although consumer demand can influence prices, whether the demand is greater in this region compared to other regions is not indicated in the argument. Therefore, option D is not likely to be true based on the argument.
Based on the analysis, the statement that is likely to be true is:
B) All other means of transporting goods and produce in the region are costlier than shipping.