AimHigher wrote:
City Controller: 63% of our residents voted to approve the developer's request to build a national chain hotel on the site of the old consignment store. The hotel will increase our revenue base and, therefore, provide more money for schools and community services.
Mayor: But our recent survey showed that the most important reason people want to live here is our small-town feel resulting from the local ownership of the vast majority of businesses.
I picked E, and this is my reasoning:
CC - says 63% of residents approve construction of new hotel.
mayor - people want to live here because of some reason.
what could be the discrepancy here? what if the survey of the mayor was not polled on people who actually reside there? Note that it is not directly implied that THOSE people who responded to city controller's poll answered in the same poll conducted by mayor.
What is the best explanation for the apparent contradiction in opinions cited by the controller and the mayor?
A. Most people believe having a small-town feel is more important than having quality schools.
might be, or might be not, there is no information that would make us believe that such is the case.
B. A locally-owned business might be able to generate as much revenue as a well-known hotel chain.
might, or might not. this is not really important to us.
C. The recent survey did not ask about preferences for a chain hotel versus a locally-owned bed and breakfast.
this is out of scope. compares CH vs. locally-owned bed and breakfast.
D. An increase in the town's revenue base may not result in additional money for the schools.
still doesn't explain the paradox presented in the argument.
E. The recent survey cited by the mayor polled people who are considering moving to the town.
aha, if people who responded in CC's questionnaire were residents, but people who responded to mayor's questionnaire were people who are not, then we have the paradox solved.
E so far is the best answer.