Consumer activist: By allowing major airlines to abandon, as they promptly did, all but their most profitable routes, the government’s decision to cease regulation of the airline industry has worked to the disadvantage of everyone who lacks access to large metropolitan airport.
Industry representative: On the contrary, where major airlines moved out, regional airlines have moved in and, as a consequence, there are more flights into and out of most small airports now than before the change in regulatory policy.

1. The industry representative’s argument will not provide an effective answer to the consumer activist’s claim unless which one of the following is true?
(A) No small airport has fewer flights now than it did before the change in policy regarding regulation of the airline industry.
(B) When permitted to do so by changes in regulatory policy, each major airline abandoned all but large metropolitan airports.
(C) Policies that result in an increase in the number of flights to which consumers have easy access do not generally work to the disadvantage of consumers.
(D) Regional airlines charge less to fly a given route now than the major airlines charged when they flew the same route.
(E) Any policy that leads to an increase in the number of competitors in a given field works to the long-term advantage of consumers.

2. Which one of the following is assumption on which the consumer activist’s argument depends?
(A) Before the recent change in regulatory policy, there was no advantage in having easy access to large metropolitan airport.
(B) When any sizable group of consumers is seriously disadvantaged by a change in government policy, that change should be reversed.
(C) Government regulation of industry almost always works to the advantage of consumers.
(D) At the time of the regulatory change, the major airlines were maintaining their less profitable routes at least in part because of government requirements.
(E) Regional airlines lack the resources to provide consumers with service of the same quality as that provided by the major airlines.
_________________

The sky is the limit
800 is the limit

Find out what's new at GMAT Club - latest features and updates

IMO : D, C

1) IMO : D.

I marked the reverse answer.

2) IMO : C
(D) At the time of the regulatory change, the major airlines were maintaining their less profitable routes at least in part because of government requirements. >>> Contrary it actually strengthens the Industry representative. Regulation has been good.

D does not stalk the Industry representative. he can argue back with the following -
"there are more flights into and out of most small airports now than before the change in regulatory policy. so we are making more profits"

To shut Industry representative completely you say - "Government regulation of industry almost always works to the advantage of consumers.". this destroys him. D OUT
_________________

Please press kudos if you like my post.

1) C
2) D

What's the OA?

Thanks.

OA please.

D then D. First one is obvious.

second one
----------
D because it was the old govt regulation that was partially responsible for the loss on the routes. Hence the Govt is responsible for the losses before (atleast partly) and for disadvantage (no access to large metropolitan) to everyone - after the regulation. Damn govt !

C : Contradicts the premise – “airline industry has worked to the disadvantage of everyone”. OUT

A : does not work in favor of consumer activist. OUT

E and B are baseless. They should be backed by substantial evidence but none is found in the stimulus.
_________________

Please press kudos if you like my post.

1. C
2. C
can explain if correct
_________________

consider cudos if you like my post

C and D are correct -- just checked in 1000CR.

First question looks super tough now when I read the language again. I believe its not easy to pull first one under pressure. The question is in heavy cloak of strengthening / weakening types.

A : Regulation worked to the disadvantage of everyone. Regulation is bad.
B : Regulation is good (there are more flights in/out of small airports).

[B should also say regulation has worked to the advantage of everyone to refute A.]

Otherwise B's answer is shifting focus (scope shift).
_________________

Please press kudos if you like my post.

What about A and E .........??

man really tough call ...

i will go for A and B.....

admit second is incorrect but 1st ??
_________________

Whatever you do, Do it SINCERELY!!!

GOD help those who help themselves....