Self-study
Inez: Space-exploration programs pay for themselves many times over, since such programs result in technological advances with everyday, practical applications. Space exploration is more than the search for knowledge for its own sake; investment in space exploration is such a productive investment in developing widely useful technology that we can't afford not to invest in space exploration.
Winona: It is absurd to try to justify funding for space exploration merely by pointing out that such programs will lead to technological advances. If technology with practical applications is all that is desired, then it should be funded directly.
14.
Winona responds to Inez by
a
showing that there is no evidence that the outcome Inez anticipates will in fact be realized
Winona doesn’t argue that funding space-exploration programs won’t lead to technological advances with practical applications. She just argues that these technological advances should be pursued and funded directly instead.
b
suggesting that Inez has overlooked evidence that directly argues against the programs Inez supports
Winona doesn’t present any evidence against space-exploration programs. She just argues that funding these programs isn’t necessary to pursuing advances in practical technology.
c
demonstrating that the pieces of evidence that Inez cites contradict each other
Winona doesn’t reject any of Inez’s evidence. Instead, she rejects the idea that funding space-exploration programs is justified because it will lead to practical technology.
d
providing evidence that the beneficial effects that Inez desires can be achieved only at great expense
Winona argues that the beneficial effects that Inez desires— advances in practical technology— can be achieved through direct funding, not that they can be achieved “only at great expense.”
e
claiming that a goal that Inez mentions could be pursued without the programs Inez endorses
Winona claims that advances in practical technology could be pursued directly, without the space-exploration programs Inez endorses.