Question

presenting its report to the national assembly, a korean climate - policy institute conceded that its carbon tax proposal was politically precarious. yet it packed the document with model comparisons and case studies from sweden and british columbia, hoping that this empirical apparatus would ______ its fragile case that the tax would not crush small manufacturers, rather than serve as mere technocratic decoration.
3 mark for review
which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
a buttress
b obscure
c embellish
d restate

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context. The institute's case is "fragile" and they use empirical evidence (model comparisons, case studies) to strengthen it, not obscure (hide), embellish (decorate superficially), or restate (repeat). "Buttress" means to support or strengthen, which fits the need to strengthen a fragile case.

Answer:

A. buttress