Directions: The questions in this section are based on the reasoning contained in brief statements or passages. For some questions, more than one of the choices could conceivably answer the question. However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response that most accurately and completely answers the question. You should not make assumptions that are by commonsense standards implausible, superfluous, or incompatible with the passage. After you have chosen the best answer, blacken the corresponding space on your answer sheet.
Editorial: Almost every year the Smithfield River floods the coastal fishing community of Redhook, which annually spends $3 million on the cleanup. Some residents have proposed damming the river, which would cost $5 million but would prevent the flooding. However, their position is misguided. A dam would prevent nutrients in the river from flowing into the ocean. Fish that now feed on those nutrients would start feeding elsewhere. The loss of these fish would cost Redhook $10 million annually.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the editorial’s argument?
A． The Smithfield River should be dammed to prevent flooding.
B． Nutrients from the Smithfield River are essential to the local fish population.
C． Damming the Smithfield River is not worth the high construction costs for such a project.
D． For Redhook to build a dam on the Smithfield River would be a mistake.
E． The Smithfield River floods cost Redhook $3 million every year.