7

Set 1: Central Ideas (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: C

PASSAGE

The following text discusses the tragedy of the commons. The tragedy of the commons is an economic problem in which every individual has an incentive to consume a resource at the expense of every other individual with no way to exclude anyone from consuming. It results in overconsumption, under-investment, and ultimately depletion of the resource. As demand for the resource overwhelms the supply, every individual who consumes an additional unit directly harms others who can no longer enjoy the benefits.

What is the ultimate outcome of the 'tragedy of the commons' as described in the text?

A. The resource is distributed equally among all users
B. The resource becomes privatized to ensure its survival
C. The resource is depleted due to unrestricted overconsumption✓ Correct
D. The resource naturally replenishes itself faster than it is consumed

Detailed Explanation

Choice C is correct. The text explicitly states it results in 'overconsumption... and ultimately depletion of the resource.'

Key Evidence:

• "results in overconsumption"

• "ultimately depletion of the resource"

Why others are wrong: A (Wishful thinking (not the outcome described)), B (A potential solution, not the outcome of the tragedy itself), D (Opposite (demand overwhelms supply)).

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