单选题 10.Which of the following most logically completes the argument?
Utrania was formerly a major petroleum exporter, but in recent decades economic stagnation and restrictive regulation . inhibited investment in new oil fields. In consequence, Utranian oil exports dropped steadily as old fields became depleted. Utrania's currently improving economic situation, together with less-restrictive regulations, will undoubtedly result in the rapid development of new fields. However, it would be premature to conclude that the rapid development of new fields will result in higher oil exports, because_________.

A、 the price of oil is expected to remain relatively stable over the next several years
B、 the improvement in the economic situation in Utrania is expected to result in a dramatic increase in the proportion of Utranians who own automobiles
C、 most of the investment in new oil fields in Utrania is expected to come from foreign sources
D、 new technology is available to recover oil from old oil fields formerly regarded as depleted
E、 many of the new oil fields in Utrania are likely to be as productive as those that were developed during the period when Utrania was a major oil exporter

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】Argument Construction
Situation A country that had been a major oil exporter has seen its exports decline in recent decades dut to economic stagnation, a failure to invest in new fields, and the steady depletion of its old fields. But looser regulations and an improving economy will bring rapid development of new oil fields ir the country.
Reasoning Which of the options would most logically complete the argument? The passage describes the condit ons that led to Utrania's no longer being a major oil exporter: a lack of investment in new oil fields due to a stagnant economy and restrictive regulations. The passage then says that due to changed regulatory and economic conditions, there will now be rapid development of new oil fields. Nonetheless, this might not bring about an increase in Utrania's oil exports. To logically complete the argument, one must explain how oil exports might not increase even when the condition that led to decreased oil exports has been removed. Suppose there were an increase in domestic oil consumption. A dramatic increase in the rate of car ownership in Utrania could reasonably be expected to significantly increase domestic oil consumption, which could eat up the added oil production from the new fields.
A This choice is incorrect. There is no reason why stable oil prices should prevent Utrania's oil exports from increasing.
B Correct. An increase in car ownership would increase Utrania's oil consumption—and this supports the claim that oil exports might not increase.
C If anything, this suggests that oil exports should increase. So it would not be a good choice for completion of the argument.
D The advent of new technology allowing oil to be extracted from fields previously thought to be depleted would mean that there is even more reason to think that Utrania's oil exports will increase.
E This does not help to explain why exports would not increase. On the contrary, it suggests that the new fields will lead to increased exports.
The correct answer is B.