The stated goal of the government's funding program for the arts is to encourage the creation of works of artistic excellence. Senator Beton claims, however, that a government-funded artwork can never reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist because artists, like anyone else who accepts financial support, will inevitably try to please those who control the distribution of that support. Senator Beton concludes that government funding of the arts not only is a burden on taxpayers but also cannot lead to the creation of works of true artistic excellence.
GFA -> ~(independent artistic conscience of the artist) -> please who control
GFA -> ~(creation of works of true artistic excellence)
As we can see, the 2 pieces above — "independent artistic conscience of the artist and creation of works of true artistic excellence" — do not connect to each other. The conclusion jump from independent artistic conscience to the creation of works of true artistic excellence. Let's connect these 2 two pieces of information.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which Senator Beton's argument is based?
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(A) Most taxpayers have little or no interest in the creation of works of true artistic excellence.
This is not the point. However much most tax payers feel is out of the context. (A) is out.
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(B) Government funding of the arts is more generous than other financial support most artists receive.
This comparison was never mentioned. (B) out.
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(C) Distribution of government funds for the arts is based on a broad agreement as to what constitutes artistic excellence.
Tbh. I don't know how does this fit into the reasoning. (C) is out.
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(D) Once an artist has produced works of true artistic excellence, he or she will never accept government funding.
This is a really strong statement. This does not have to be true. The statement only stated that Artist who received financial support will try to please them. (D) is out.
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(E) A contemporary work of art that does not reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist cannot be a work of true artistic excellence.
This connects the point that was discussed earlier.
Only E is left. (E) is the correct answer.