A reader claims: 'Managed retreat is cheaper and has no disadvantages.' What is the correct assessment? (Passage: Coastal erosion)

A village on a soft clay coast has lost about 1.5 metres of cliff per year for the past century. The nearest house is now 20 metres from the edge. A sea wall would cost 12 million pounds and protect the village for around fifty years, while managed retreat, moving the houses inland, would cost 7 million pounds but would require residents to leave their homes. The council notes that the sea wall would starve beaches further along the coast of sediment, accelerating erosion there.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. False

  1. Step 1: Check the 'no disadvantages' claim. Step 2. Residents leaving their homes is a disadvantage. Answer: False. Why not the others: Cheaper does not imply no disadvantages; disadvantages are mentioned; the protection of other beaches is not stated.

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