PrepTest 155, Section 3, Question 8

Working the answers

• A

  This describes the problem and the guidelines' broad goals, but leaves out the author's evaluation. We don't merely learn that guidelines exist; we learn why they are insufficient. An accurate description of their purposes isn't the whole main point.

• B

  Safeguarding continued industrial growth isn't the stated purpose of this framework. Growing industry helps create the pressure on water resources. B also omits the author's criticism of the proposed solution.

• C
  Correct

  “Worthwhile attempt” matches the “significant step forward” in the third paragraph. The lack of provision for predicted environmental changes matches the criticism developed through fixed allocations and changing flows. This captures the full assessment.

• D

  The author does suggest ways to improve treaties, so recommending changes isn't automatically wrong. But nothing establishes that environmental threats have so far had little impact on rivers. D adds that unsupported history and misses the clear worthwhile-but-inadequate evaluation.

• E

  The discussion predicts effects that warming is likely to have; it doesn't establish the already-occurring damage this answer asserts. E also presents only the failure, leaving out the credit the author gives the draft articles. C captures both sides without adding that timing claim.