An Argument? Or Not An Argument?

1. How can we wait, even a single day, to take action to protect the environment?

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The given statement does not present any argument or provide any reasons to support a particular viewpoint. It is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the urgency of taking action to protect the environment. It does not present any opposing viewpoints or provide any evidence or logical reasoning. Therefore, it can be categorized as "Not An Argument."

Explanation

The given statement does not present any argument or provide any reasons to support a particular viewpoint. It is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the urgency of taking action to protect the environment. It does not present any opposing viewpoints or provide any evidence or logical reasoning. Therefore, it can be categorized as "Not An Argument."

2. The move to a more ecological society will require big changes. The industrial revolution brought with it changes in government, family, and the economy. In the same way, the move to an ecological society will likewise require a fundamental change in our way of living.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The passage presents a clear argument by stating that the move to a more ecological society will require big changes, just like the industrial revolution brought significant changes in government, family, and the economy. It suggests that a fundamental change in our way of living is necessary for the transition to an ecological society. The passage presents a logical connection between the two ideas, making it an argument rather than a simple statement or observation.

Explanation

The passage presents a clear argument by stating that the move to a more ecological society will require big changes, just like the industrial revolution brought significant changes in government, family, and the economy. It suggests that a fundamental change in our way of living is necessary for the transition to an ecological society. The passage presents a logical connection between the two ideas, making it an argument rather than a simple statement or observation.

3. Survival is the most important and most highly respected human value.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

This statement is not an argument because it does not present any reasons or evidence to support the claim that survival is the most important and highly respected human value. It simply states a belief without providing any logical or persuasive reasoning.

Explanation

This statement is not an argument because it does not present any reasons or evidence to support the claim that survival is the most important and highly respected human value. It simply states a belief without providing any logical or persuasive reasoning.

4. The most important action for any of us to take is to protect the environment. Please, take whatever action you can.

An Argument.

Not an Argument.

This statement is not an argument because it does not provide any reasons or evidence to support the claim that protecting the environment is the most important action for any of us to take. It is simply a statement urging individuals to take action without presenting any logical reasoning or persuasive elements.

Explanation

This statement is not an argument because it does not provide any reasons or evidence to support the claim that protecting the environment is the most important action for any of us to take. It is simply a statement urging individuals to take action without presenting any logical reasoning or persuasive elements.

5.

People should ride bicycles more, because air pollution is really a problem in the city.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The statement is An Argument. It presents a claim (“People should ride bicycles more”) and supports it with a reason (“air pollution is really a problem in the city”). An argument is a set of statements where some (the premises) are offered in support of another (the conclusion). Here, the conclusion is that people should ride bicycles more, and the premise supporting this conclusion is the problem of air pollution in the city.

Explanation

The statement is An Argument. It presents a claim (“People should ride bicycles more”) and supports it with a reason (“air pollution is really a problem in the city”). An argument is a set of statements where some (the premises) are offered in support of another (the conclusion). Here, the conclusion is that people should ride bicycles more, and the premise supporting this conclusion is the problem of air pollution in the city.

6. Species loss is at a crisis level. Harvard Biologist Edward Wilson estimates
that nearly 140 species are lost every day.

An Argument

Not an Argument

This is an argument because it presents a claim or assertion that species loss is at a crisis level and supports it with evidence from Harvard Biologist Edward Wilson, who estimates that nearly 140 species are lost every day. The statement is trying to persuade or convince the reader of the urgency and seriousness of the issue.

Explanation

This is an argument because it presents a claim or assertion that species loss is at a crisis level and supports it with evidence from Harvard Biologist Edward Wilson, who estimates that nearly 140 species are lost every day. The statement is trying to persuade or convince the reader of the urgency and seriousness of the issue.

7. Since all pollution laws have economic consequences, we need to look at this law’s effect on the economy.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The given statement presents a clear argument by stating that because all pollution laws have economic consequences, it is necessary to examine the impact of this specific law on the economy. The statement presents a logical connection between the two factors and implies that understanding the economic effects is crucial in evaluating the law.

Explanation

The given statement presents a clear argument by stating that because all pollution laws have economic consequences, it is necessary to examine the impact of this specific law on the economy. The statement presents a logical connection between the two factors and implies that understanding the economic effects is crucial in evaluating the law.

8. Our awareness of environmental problems is increasing. Already we have reduced
the emission of chemicals that destroy the ozone and have banned many pesticides.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The passage presents a statement followed by evidence to support it. It states that our awareness of environmental problems is increasing and then provides examples of actions taken to address these problems, such as reducing ozone-depleting chemicals and banning pesticides. This structure suggests that the passage is presenting an argument, as it is making a claim and providing evidence to support it.

Explanation

The passage presents a statement followed by evidence to support it. It states that our awareness of environmental problems is increasing and then provides examples of actions taken to address these problems, such as reducing ozone-depleting chemicals and banning pesticides. This structure suggests that the passage is presenting an argument, as it is making a claim and providing evidence to support it.

9. My opponent argues that acid rain is destroying the environment, but that is an inaccurate, incomplete, and irrelevant argument.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The given statement does not present any logical reasoning or evidence to support the claim that acid rain is not destroying the environment. It simply dismisses the opponent's argument as inaccurate, incomplete, and irrelevant without providing any counterpoints or supporting information. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is not an argument.

Explanation

The given statement does not present any logical reasoning or evidence to support the claim that acid rain is not destroying the environment. It simply dismisses the opponent's argument as inaccurate, incomplete, and irrelevant without providing any counterpoints or supporting information. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is not an argument.

10. When a species loses its natural habitat, it is nearly impossible to prevent it from going extinct. There are only a few thousand Giant Panda, for instance, now that their habitat is taken over by development.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The passage presents a clear argument by stating that when a species loses its natural habitat, it becomes nearly impossible to prevent it from going extinct. It supports this claim by providing an example of the Giant Panda, whose population has dwindled due to the loss of their habitat to development. The passage presents a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the negative consequences of habitat loss on species survival. Therefore, the correct answer is "An Argument."

Explanation

The passage presents a clear argument by stating that when a species loses its natural habitat, it becomes nearly impossible to prevent it from going extinct. It supports this claim by providing an example of the Giant Panda, whose population has dwindled due to the loss of their habitat to development. The passage presents a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the negative consequences of habitat loss on species survival. Therefore, the correct answer is "An Argument."

11. The affirmative argues that global warming will destroy the world, but they
don’t prove that because they present no evidence that global warming is
happening in the first place.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The given answer is "An Argument" because it states that the affirmative side is arguing that global warming will destroy the world. This implies that there is a claim being made and a reason being provided to support it. The argument is then countered by stating that the affirmative side fails to prove that global warming is happening, suggesting that the evidence presented is insufficient.

Explanation

The given answer is "An Argument" because it states that the affirmative side is arguing that global warming will destroy the world. This implies that there is a claim being made and a reason being provided to support it. The argument is then countered by stating that the affirmative side fails to prove that global warming is happening, suggesting that the evidence presented is insufficient.

12. The affirmative says that carbon dioxide is harmful to the environment. That is false.

An Argument.

Not An Argument.

The statement provided is not an argument. It is a declarative sentence expressing an opinion. An argument would present a claim along with supporting reasons or evidence to persuade someone of a particular point of view. In this case, the statement is a straightforward assertion without providing any supporting elements, making it a statement of opinion rather than an argument.

Explanation

The statement provided is not an argument. It is a declarative sentence expressing an opinion. An argument would present a claim along with supporting reasons or evidence to persuade someone of a particular point of view. In this case, the statement is a straightforward assertion without providing any supporting elements, making it a statement of opinion rather than an argument.