Aroca City currently funds its public schools through taxes on property. In place of this system, the city plans to introduce a sales tax of three percent on all retail sales in the city.

Critics protest that three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes. The critics are correct on this point. Nevertheless, implementing the plan will probably not reduce the money going to Aroca’s schools.

Several large retailers have selected Aroca City as the site for huge new stores, and these are certain to draw large numbers of shoppers from neighboring municipalities, where sales are taxed at rates of six percent and more. In consequence, retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.

In the argument given, the two potions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is an objection that has been raised against a certain plan; the second is a prediction that, if accurate, undermines the force of that objection.

B. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is a point the argument makes in favor of adopting an alternative plan.

C. The first is a criticism, endorsed by the argument, of a funding plan; the second is the main reason cited by the argument for its endorsement of the criticism.

D. The first is a claim that the argument seeks to refute; the second is the main point used by the argument to show that the claim is false.

E. The first is a claim that the argument accepts with certain reservations; the second
presents that claim in a rewarding that is not subject to those reservations.

Pick A

I agree with qhoc0010 and pick A also.

picked A

hmm, what is the source of this question?
Can someone explain?

Hello

I think choice A is a liitle weird.

The argument seems support the certain plan which funds the public schools, but what the argument concerned is whether three percent is sufficient or not.

However, choice A said "against a certain plan", I thinks it is erroneous.

Furthermore, the second boldface seems to stress that three percent is not insufficient.

Therefore, the OA is D.

How do you think ?

Frankly speaking, I could not choose between (A), (D) and (E). All 3 looks ok to me.

chunjuwu, do u have any official explaination for this question?

First:three percent of current retail sales falls short of the amount raised for schools by property taxes.
Second: retail sales in Aroca City are bound to increase substantially.

The critics were not exactly opposing the plan of funding school from sales tax. This is why (A) is not right.

The second part is not a rewording of the claim in the first part either. This is why (E) is not right.

Argument says: Critics protest...
(A) says: critics made an objection....

I dont feel any difference between them..


For (E)...
argument uses nevertheless.. means it is accepting the plan.. probably with some hesitation..
However, Using the term "REWARDING" can be extreme. On that ground (E) can be dropped.


I think this question is playing too much with the words. Does GMAT asks these type of questions?

I don't think anyone does.