It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we

Question

It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we are not spending enough on education. In fact, education spending increased 30 percent overall during the last decade.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

(A) Despite increased spending on education, enrollment in our elementary and secondary schools declined about 4 percent during the last ten years.
(B) Our spending on gasoline increased more than 100 percent during the last decade.
(C) When adjusted for inflation, our per-pupil expenditure on education this year is less than it was ten years ago.
(D) Eleven other economically developed nations spend more on education than we do.
(E) The achievement levels of our students have been declining steadily since 1960, and the last decade produced no reversal in this trend.

icandy · Accepted Answer

In fact, education spending increased 30 percent overall during the last decade.

Evidence is that education spending increased over last decade by 30%

It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we are not spending enough on education.

Conclusion is to stop searching for new statistics or other wise saying that based on the stated evidence above, we are spending enough on education.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

(A) Despite increased spending on education, enrollment in our elementary and secondary schools declined about 4 percent during the last ten years.

A is about enrollment and not about whether we are spending more or less

(B) Our spending on gasoline increased more than 100 percent during the last decade.

B Ok Gas spending has nothing to do with edu spending.

(C) When adjusted for inflation, our per-pupil expenditure on education this year is less than it was ten years ago.

offers counter evidence that we are not spending enough on education. Probably this is it??

(D) Eleven other economically developed nations spend more on education than we do.

Does it matter?

(E) The achievement levels of our students have been declining steadily since 1960, and the last decade produced no reversal in this trend.

Again irrelevant here.

My pick  C

priyankurml · Answer

Another C.

We already spent 30% more than last decade; therefore we stopped searching for any statistics related to minute spending on education. Any statement, which could reveal that actually we are spending less than what we did in previous years, will definitely intrigue us.
A: Enrollment is not the point of discussion
B: Gasoline I OOS
C:  True , shows the difference
D: But how it affects our discussion?
E: Achievement is not the point of discussion

wishnuv · Answer

I chose C as well, but I thought D was a strong contender as well, considering the fact that our spending could've been very low to start with, a decade ago, so 30% higher is not much compared to other developed nations. But I agree that its a bit out of scope.

nageshshiv · Answer

+1 for C,

Conclusion :education spending increased 30 %

Assumption : There is a spending on the eduction

We need to weaken the assumption ,  the amount has increased due to inflation  but not with any other reason. i.e. directly weaking the argument.

GMATPASSION · Answer

It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we are not spending enough on education. In fact, education spending increased 30 percent overall during the last decade.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

Weak-- Conclusion---Hmm--- Though spending increased in last decade (C) says that per person expenditure has decreased. This weakens the conclusion.

u0422811 · Answer

(A) Despite increased spending on education, enrollment in our elementary and secondary schools declined about 4 percent during the last ten years. - This is out of scope and could technically be construed as a strengthener as spending per pupil must be up.
(B) Our spending on gasoline increased more than 100 percent during the last decade. - out of scope.
(C) When adjusted for inflation, our per-pupil expenditure on education this year is less than it was ten years ago. - Correct.
(D) Eleven other economically developed nations spend more on education than we do. - No comparisons to other countries were made in the prompts.
(E) The achievement levels of our students have been declining steadily since 1960, and the last decade produced no reversal in this trend. - No mention of achievement levels the prompt focuses on spending.

Ans - C.

chris558 · Answer

Conclusion: We should stop searching for new statistics suggesting we aren't spending enough on education
Premise: education spending increased 30% overall during the last decade

This is a WEAKENING question. New information is allowed in answer choices, must affect conclusion. Not necessarily negate, but make it less likely to be true!

(A) Despite increased spending on education, enrollment in our elementary and secondary schools declined about 4 percent during the last ten years.
-> enrollment does not have anything to do with the stats on education spending...
(B) Our spending on gasoline increased more than 100 percent during the last decade.
-> out of scope. we aren't talking about gasoline here!
(C) When adjusted for inflation, our per-pupil expenditure on education this year is less than it was ten years ago.
-> CORRECT! if the increase in edu. spending is due to inflation, and the real amount we spend on edu. is actually LESS than what it aws 10 yrs ago, then we AREN't spending more on education. Therefore it is reasonable to search for stats suggesting we should INCREASE spending in edu.
(D) Eleven other economically developed nations spend more on education than we do.
--> nothing to do with us or our stats.
(E) The achievement levels of our students have been declining steadily since 1960, and the last decade produced no reversal in this trend.
->acheivement levels is not the same as edu. spending levels.

ananyagupta1 · Answer

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nandeta · Answer

It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we are not spending enough on education. In fact, education spending increased 30 percent overall during the last decade.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

(A) Despite increased spending on education, enrollment in our elementary and secondary schools declined about 4 percent during the last ten years.
 Wrong. We are not concerned about the enrollment level in our schools.

(B) Our spending on gasoline increased more than 100 percent during the last decade.
 Wrong. Out of context. Gasoline is not even in argument or premise.

(C) When adjusted for inflation, our per-pupil expenditure on education this year is less than it was ten years ago.
  Correct. Expenditure is less as compared to 10 years ago. The premise is also talking about expenditure for 10 years ago.

(D) Eleven other economically developed nations spend more on education than we do.
 Wrong. We are not talking about any other developed nations and their spending habits.

(E) The achievement levels of our students have been declining steadily since 1960, and the last decade produced no reversal in this trend.
 Wrong. We are not concerned with the achievement level of students.

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It’s time we stopped searching for new statistics to suggest that we

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