happy1992 wrote:
In many states landowners may make use of a conservation easement, a legal agreement that restricts the use of land. A landowner can donate an easement to a land trust, which amounts to a charitable donation equal to the difference between the market value of the land and its value under the easement restrictions. Normally, owners of unused farmland and other undeveloped property are often under market pressure to sell to developers, who can offer much more for it than could be made from renting the property. These owners should take advantage of conservation easements to prevent unwanted development.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
(A) Some land trusts are for-profit enterprises that buy and sell properties whose use is restricted.
(B) Land donated using an easement is usually located in areas with very low population density.
(C) Some landowners are able to split up their properties such that part of the land is donated to a trust and the rest continues to earn rents for the owner.
(D) Most property owners can make more money by renting their property than by donating an easement and taking the corresponding tax benefits.
(E) When land use is restricted, the value of surrounding unrestricted land rises.
I could easily eliminate (B), (C) & (E) as these are clearly irrelevant.
Main challenge is between (A) and (D)
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(A) Some land trusts are for-profit enterprises that buy and sell properties whose use is restricted.
If land trusts sell the land to developers, and developers do the construction, the original owners will not be saved from unwanted development. Thus, this weakens the argument.
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(D) Most property owners can make more money by renting their property than by donating an easement and taking the corresponding tax benefits.
This makes renting more profitable than donating an easement. Thus, this weakens the argument.
However, the problem is, while 'some' land trusts are for profit, which can be inferred from (A), 'most' property owners can make more money by renting, as (D) states. Thus, (D) is better than (A)