Passage Summary: A study shows we throw away more paper than plastic. Since a pound of paper is just as bad as a pound of plastic, the argument claims paper is doing more damage overall.

Conclusion: The current use of plastics is less environmentally damaging on a national scale than the use of paper products.

Reasoning: Plastics make up a smaller percentage of total trash than paper does, and both materials cause roughly the same amount of environmental damage per unit of weight or volume.

Analysis: The argument assumes that the 'representative areas' studied truly reflect the national situation. To strengthen this, look for an answer that confirms the study's scope or eliminates a potential difference between the study areas and the rest of the country. You might also look for an answer that confirms that the 'damage' mentioned includes all relevant environmental factors, ensuring the comparison between paper and plastic is fair.