33. Economist: Tropicorp, which constantly seeks profitable investment opportunities, has been buying and clearing sections of tropical forest for cattle ranching, although pastures newly created there become useless for grazing after just a few years. The company has not gone into rubber tapping, even though greater profits can be made from rubber tapping, which leaves the forest intact. Thus, some environmentalists argue that Tropicorp's actions do not serve even its own economic interest. However, the initial investment required for a successful rubber-tapping operation is larger than that needed for a cattle ranch; there is a shortage of workers employable in rubber-tapping operations; and taxes are higher on profits from rubber tapping than on profits from cattle ranching. Consequently, the environmentalists' conclusion is probably wrong.
In the economist's argument, the two boldface portions play which of the following roles?

A、 The first supports the conclusion of the economist's argument; the second calls that conclusion into question.
B、 The first states the conclusion of the economist's argument; the second supports that conclusion.
C、 The first supports the conclusion of the environmentalists' argument; the second states that conclusion.
D、 The first states the conclusion of the environmentalists' argument; the second states the conclusion of the economist's argument.
E、 Each supports the conclusion of the economist's argument.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】 Argument Construction
Situation According to an economist, the firm Tropicorp has been investing in tropical forest that it has
cleared for cattle ranching. But its new pastures are useless for grazing after a few years. In
contrast, rubber tapping—which would avoid cutting trees—could be more profitable. According
to the economist, environmentalists consequently argue that Tropicorp's investment does not
serve the firm's economic interest. However, the economist argues, investing in rubber tapping
involves some potential costs and risks greater than those that investing in cattle ranching involves.
Consequently, the economist argues, the environmentalists' conclusion is probably wrong.
Reasoning What function is served by the statement that Tropicorp's actions do not serve even its own economic
interest? What function is served by the statement that the environmentalists' conclusion is probably
wrong? The first statement is a conclusion that the economist attributes to environmentalists. The
second statement is the conclusion of an argument presented by the economist.
A The first states the conclusion of the argument that is attributed to environmentalists; it does not support—nor is it meant to—the conclusion of the economist.
B The second statement, not the first, is the conclusion of the economist's argument.
C The first is the conclusion attributed to environmentalists and is not meant merely as support for that conclusion.
D Correct. The first states the conclusion of the environmentalists' argument as the economist presents it; the second is the conclusion of the economist's argument.
E Neither statement is meant as support for the economist's conclusion, nor does it offer such support.
The correct answer is D.