Question
"Biodegradable Bags:
An Imperfect Solution for Reducing Plastic
Waste"
Biodegradable bags are thought to be better for the environment than regular plastic bags, which take a very long time to break down. These special bags are made to break down faster when they are in sunlight, air, and moisture. People who like biodegradable bags say that using them can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills and oceans. They believe that switching to these bags can help make our planet cleaner and healthier.
But not everyone thinks biodegradable bags are the best answer. Some people say that these bags need special conditions to break down properly, like high temperatures and special composting places, which are not always available. Sometimes, biodegradable bags end up in regular landfills where they might not break down any faster than regular plastic bags. Also, some biodegradable bags release methane, a gas that can harm the environment, as they break down.
It is important to know that biodegradable bags are made from natural materials like cornstarch, which means they are completely harmless to the environment. While it is true that these materials are better for the environment than regular plastic, this statement does not tell the whole story.
Making biodegradable bags still affects the environment because growing the crops needed for these bags uses
What type of fallacy is demonstrated in the article?
Item 3
(1 point)
• gambler's fallacy
• loaded language
• ad hominem
• slippery slope
An Imperfect Solution for Reducing Plastic
Waste"
Biodegradable bags are thought to be better for the environment than regular plastic bags, which take a very long time to break down. These special bags are made to break down faster when they are in sunlight, air, and moisture. People who like biodegradable bags say that using them can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills and oceans. They believe that switching to these bags can help make our planet cleaner and healthier.
But not everyone thinks biodegradable bags are the best answer. Some people say that these bags need special conditions to break down properly, like high temperatures and special composting places, which are not always available. Sometimes, biodegradable bags end up in regular landfills where they might not break down any faster than regular plastic bags. Also, some biodegradable bags release methane, a gas that can harm the environment, as they break down.
It is important to know that biodegradable bags are made from natural materials like cornstarch, which means they are completely harmless to the environment. While it is true that these materials are better for the environment than regular plastic, this statement does not tell the whole story.
Making biodegradable bags still affects the environment because growing the crops needed for these bags uses
What type of fallacy is demonstrated in the article?
Item 3
(1 point)
• gambler's fallacy
• loaded language
• ad hominem
• slippery slope
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The article does not clearly demonstrate one of the listed fallacies, but it might be seen as using a form of **loaded language**. This is evident in the way the pros and cons of biodegradable bags are presented, with strong phrasing that could influence reader emotion or perception. For example, terms like "imperfect solution" and mentioning the release of methane as "harmful" suggest a bias in how the information is framed. However, it does not directly engage in a personal attack (ad hominem), nor does it suggest a slippery slope or invoke the gambler's fallacy.
Overall, the closest fallacy from the provided options would be **loaded language** due to the emotionally charged vocabulary used to describe the situation surrounding biodegradable bags.
Overall, the closest fallacy from the provided options would be **loaded language** due to the emotionally charged vocabulary used to describe the situation surrounding biodegradable bags.