The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate

Prethinking :
the mayor claim's that the expected growth won't threaten the existence of recreation area.
Hence information of a separate provision made by the city to incorporate such a rise in population can help strengthen the argument.
POE:
A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas. Irrelevant : as the argument talks about the area and not funds
(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings. Wrong :Claims are made of the existing areas and not the new ones
(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.Irrelevant : as no comparison is made with the other cities
(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes. Perfect as new houses replace the old one having lower buildings--> Correct
(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. Irrelevant weakens the claim

Option D

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.

This is a fairly simple question. The stem revolves around The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow and the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.
We need a possible strengthen that claims are correct.

Which of the following, if true, will most strengthen the claim of the mayor's office?

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
This is the case of maybe, maybe the city is able to attract the new citizens, maybe not. Also to note is that with an increase in the new citizens, more space would be needed.
Hence this is incorrect.

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
Yes, this is the correct answer. New space will be allocated for parks and recreation.
It strengthens.

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
We cannot afford comparison, because there could be other factors in play.
Hence this is incorrect.

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
We are not sure of the result. Will it lead to more space or less space? That is still a question mark.
Hence this is incorrect.

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
This in fact supports the residents claim. This is a weakener.
Hence this is incorrect.


For the above-stated reasons, Answer B is correct.

Conclusion of residents: Population growth will have an effect on recreational areas in the city's center
Conclusion of Mayor's office: Population growth will NOT have an effect on recreational areas in the city's center

We need to find a reason why the recreational areas in the city's center will not be affected

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
Will this development be in the city's center? We don't know - Eliminate

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
Will these areas be in the city's center? We don't know - Eliminate

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
We are worried only about Dorthhampthon's city center - Out of scope

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
This says that new housing projects are coming up in the city center where buildings are already existing and so will not have an effect on the recreational areas - Keep

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
Out of scope

Answer is (D)

We have to find a statement that supports the mayor’s claim that the growth in population will not threaten the EXISTENCE of existing recreation areas in the city center. So we need something to ensure that the recreation areas will still be kept in their current places even when the population increase.

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
—> this sounds nice, but increasing budget doesn’t ensure that the recreational areas will be remained in the current places. WRONG

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
—> this definitely hurts the mayor’s statement as it may implies removing parks and recreation to surrounding areas -> threaten the existence of recreation IN city center. WRONG

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
—> irrelevant. This has nothing to do with the existence of recreation areas. WRONG

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
—> well this is like what we are looking for. Replacing old and lower building with new one will assure that new citizens have shelter without taking the place of existing recreation grounds to build new houses.

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
—> opposite. This hurts the argument of the mayor.

So I think the answer is D

Posted from my mobile device

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.

Claim of Mayor's office: City's population growth of 6 percent a year in the coming decade will not threaten the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre.

Which of the following, if true, will most strengthen the claim of the mayor's office?

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas
This statement mentions about increasing budget for development of recreational areas but does not ensure that population increase will not threaten the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre. Incorrect

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
Mayor's office claim is about not threatening the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre. It is not about city's surroundings. Incorrect

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
This statement does not mention anything about not threatening the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre. Incorrect

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
This statement mentions that new housing projects in city's center are planned to replace lower building in older complexes so that new developments will not threaten the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre. Correct

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
This statement does not mention anything about not threatening the existence of the recreational areas in the city's centre. This statement in fact weakens mayor's office claim. Incorrect

IMO D

This is critical reasoning question, and here the argument states that the growth of population is 6% and the population is worried about recreation in the city center, but the mayor's office claimed that this growth would not threaten these recreation areas. Let us have a look at the options and identify which one is correct:

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas. - Even though municipality increases its budget for the development of recreation ares, it does not necessarily mean that the recreation areas will be developed in the city center. Incorrect
(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings. - This option concentrates on the surroundings of the city, not on its center, thus, it is irrelevant. Incorrect
(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region. - We do not have any information about other cities in the region, and the passage concentrates primarily on Dorthhampton, thus, this statement does not impact the words of mayor's office. Incorrect
(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes. - Correct, if the lower buildings are replaced by new buildings in the center, then there will be more space to accommodate an increasing number of citizens and recreation areas will be at no risk. Correct
(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. - This statement weakens rather than strengthens the claim of the mayor's office. In this case the recreation areas in the city center will be under risk. Incorrect

prem: pop growth will increase % per year for decade and such raises concerns about the effect this will have on rec areas in CENTER;
claim: pop grow wont threaten rec areas;
asum: that pop grow means more housing development and office etc… especially in city center;

e-irrelevant;
c-irrelevant;
b-this would actually weakn since rec areas in CENTER could be replaced elsewhr;
a-this would also wekn, since city could afford moving/replacing rec areas, threating the ones in the CENTER;

Answer (D): new housing projects in the CENTER will replace existing buildings, thus accomodating the pop grow w/o threating the CENTER rec areas.

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.


What is the threat of growing population to the recreational area in the city's center? It could be buildings instead of parks or a growing number of cars -> need more parking slots --> goodbye recreation areas


(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas. --- This sounds great, but...nothing about the city center
(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings. ---- Ok, if the municipality were in the center it would be great, but we do not know whether it is in the center or not. also, we are talking about already existing recreation areas
(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region. ---- This is out of scope
(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
If they are planning to replace old buildings, maybe it will be enough for the new people
(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. --- And again, nothing about recreation areas =)

IMO D

In strengthen type of questions, we need to find conclusion and then provide some other information that will strengthen it. Here, conclusion is "such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these". We need to find additional information to confirm this statement.

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas - This is a tempting answer choice. If D. municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas, then there is NO threat. But, we are forgetting important moment; we are concerned ONLY with central area, while A does not mention location. Although tricky, I eliminate A
(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings. - Same as A - we do not care for surrounding areas
(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region. - Completely out of scope. We do not care for other regions because what happened there may not happen here. Out
(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes. - yes, if incoming residents will be residing in houses that takes space vertically, and no new area is needed to build houses in central area, then new comers will NOT affect recreation areas. This is our answer
(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. - weakens conclusion. Out

My answer is D

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.

Let's try to get the meaning:

1. The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow
2. This grough will be at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade
3. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns
4. This concerns are about the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center
5. Yet, the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims
6. That such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these


Which of the following, if true, will most strengthen the claim of the mayor's office?

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
increase in budget has nothing to do with citizen's worries and mayor's claim

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
this statement quite interesting, but parks will be located in city's surroundings not in the centre so no strengthening effect on mayor's claim

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
from this information about ratio we cannot say that this will strengthen the mayor's claim, rather it has no positive effect

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
this is the most suitable answer choice, location of the replaced buildings in the city centre will help do deal with growing number of people in the recreation areas

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
this statement repeats information given in the passage and doesn't convey any strengthen intention

D is the answer.

IMO-D

Passage Brief-

Dorthhampthon - Population growth rate average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade.
Resident Concern- Growth will affect recreation areas in the City's center,
Mayor's office claims- Growth will not threaten the existence of any recreational areas.

Thought Process:
Reason for Concern---.>> Population grow- New Buildings required to accommodate- older recreational spaces converted to residential spaces --- Recreational areas decrease.

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.----Incorrect--- budget may increase but increase in population still pose a threat to affect recreational areas. furthermore with increase budget whether municipality going to increase recreational area not sure...

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.---Incorrect--- Allocation of new areas in surrounding will not solve problem in city's center.

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.-----Incorrect--- Concern is for recreational area not parking area.

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.----Correct---- This is inline with prethinking. this says that existing areas will not suffer as development will happen in older complexes.

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. ----Incorrect--- This is against mayor's office claim. Actually weakens the argument.

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
Citizens are concerned about recreation areas in the city's center, not about all recreation areas
Development of recreation areas, in general, does not grant that recreation areas in the city's center is not the subject of concern

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
tells about new recreation areas, we are concerned about the recreation area in the center

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
who cares about similar cities, protect city center recreation area guys

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
Good one. This gives us hope that they will modify old complexes to hold an increased number of people and leave our recreation zone alone.

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
This option deepens our concern about central recreation zone, we want to strengthen major's claim that our concern is groundless

IMO
Ans: D

Citizen: In a decade the population will increase by 6%. We are concerned about effect of this growth on City Center recrational areas
Mayor's Office: Don't worry! None of the City Center recreational areas' existence would be threatened.

We have to Strengthen the claim made by Mayor's office.
Pre-thought
The assumption made by the citizen is that since population increases, possibly the recreational areas might be required by the City officials to accommodate these new people.
And Mayor's office says that you don't need to worry about this assumption.

A. This option is concerned about the BUDGET of DEVELOPMENT of recreational areas. Three point straight away jumps out - 1) Are these recreational areas the city center ones? 2) The development of recreational areas does not in any way reflect to the concern of existence of the city center recreational areas 3) Even if it were the development of existing ones, we do not know whether the collection of budget would definetely lead to the improvement/development. ELIMINATE

B. Same as option A. Point made by Mayor's office is to PROTECT or DO NOT disturb the existing ones. So opening new ones is out of scope.

C. If now, the ratio of recreational areas are half then the ratio might further decrease with increase of population. If that happens then also the city center recreational park's could exist. So basically 2 scenarios jump out of option C -> 1) The parks are same and people increased OR 2) The parks are occupied for the accomodation. So in both option there is a possibility to question the Mayor's office. It gives a slight negative effect to the Mayor's office's claim. ELIMINATE

D. CORRECT. So in coming time the new housing projects ( accomodation of new people) will be done by replacing lower buildings in OLDER COMPLEXES ( some other place than recreational parks) -> Solid Strengthener -> CORRECT CHOICE

E. This option gives me a slight negative belief. So if it's a solid challenge to infrastructure, then the recreational areas could be a target. So it gives a slight negative belief. Definetely not a strengthener. ELIMINATE

Answer -> D.

Regards,
Rishav

Stimulus: Residents are worried that population increase may threaten the recreation areas in the city's center. Mayor’s office claims that it is not.

What we need to strengthen is the claim of mayor’s office.

Claim: such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these (recreation areas in the city's center).

We need a piece of information that will support this claim.

A. By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
This answer choice doesn’t clarify what will happen with the recreation areas in the center. We are not sure whether increased budget will be spent on the recreation areas in the center. It can very well be spent on moving this area to the suburbs.

B. Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.

Since this answer choice talks about suburbs, but not the center, it is irrelevant.

C. Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
We don’t know whether this ratio will be maintained or improved or worsened because of population increase.

D. The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
If new housing projects don’t require additional land area, but replace old buildings, then there is no threat for the recreation area in the center. Hence D strengthens the claim and explains what the mayor’s office meant.

E. Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
The claim is weakened to some extent now.

Hence D

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.

Which of the following, if true, will most strengthen the claim of the mayor's office?
Type: strengthen
if we break it down : ___ -> Population of D expected to increase, so residents worry about existing recreation area in the city centre. mayor office claims it wont be affected.
missing information :How the existing recreation area in the city centre wont be affected by increasing population
Goal: a reason which will link both information ie by catering the increasing population without affecting the recreation area in the city centre.
Analysis: take a eg if the recreation areas measure around 1000 square metre , so the mayor reassured the existence ie the size wont decrease.

(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
This option will result in the development of recreation area, it didnt cater neither about increasing population nor about saving the area (eg 1000 square metre) city centre recreation area.

(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
Definitely a very close candidate. If the question asked is about the recreation facility per person. then option will strengthen. But in our question it is about the recreation areas in the city's centre. Hence This option dont talk about city centre, new areas for parks in the surrounding is not related to the existing recreation area in city's centre.

(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
This option dont talk about the city centre recreation area. hence out.

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
( this addresses the existing area in the city centre, which wont get affected as the new housing for increasing population will be catered without affecting the existing area. by building above the older complexes.) hence this is correct answer.

(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure. ( This option dont talk about the city centre recreation area . hence out.

Hence option is D

Here is my reasoning:

The population of Dorthhampthon is expected to grow at an average rate of 6 percent a year in the coming decade. Many of Dorthhampthon’s residents raised concerns regarding the effect of this growth on the recreation areas in the city's center, yet the Dorthhampthon mayor's office claims that such growth will not threaten the existence of any of these.

Which of the following, if true, will most strengthen the claim of the mayor's office?

Note that mayor is claiming that recreation areas in the CITY's CENTER will not be affected. So we dont care about new recreation areas outside existing city.

Options prefixed with X are discarded.

X(A) By attracting more new citizens, Dorthhampthon's municipality will be able to increase its budget for the development of recreation areas.
>>At first this does seem to make sense. But, increase in budget may be used for development of new recreation areas, but it does not guarantee that the existing recreation areas in the CENTER wont be affected. So D seems a better option.

X(B) Dorthhampthon's municipality intends to increase the city's jurisdiction, allocating new areas for parks and recreation in its surroundings.
>>New parks in surroundings do not strengthen mayors claim that recreation areas in citys center wont be threatened

X(C) Dorthhampthon's ratio of park area per resident is about half that of similar cities in the region.
>>This ratio doesnt tell us whether recreation areas will be threatened or not. Irrelevant.

(D) The new housing projects in central Dorthhampthon are planned to replace lower buildings in older complexes.
>>THIS SEEMS CORRECT. If new housing projects will replace lower buildings in central region, that means new projects will not replace the recreation areas in the central region. This strengthens mayors argument.

X(E) Annual population increase of 6 percent a year poses a significant challenge to the city's infrastructure.
>>This would be concerning rather than strengthening mayors claim. Recreation areas might have to make way for infrastructure projects


ANSWER: D

We need to strengthen the claim by Dorthhampthon mayor. Any information that tells us that recreation areas will not be destroyed or threatened due to any kind of construction (houses, markets and so on) is our answer.

A. Option A tell us about the plans that can increase the budget for the development. (Irrelevant)
B. Option B is a shell answer. It tells us about the plans to increase the recreational areas in the surrounding of the cities . {Incorrect}
C. Option C gives us the info about the ratio of parks to the residents. It doesn't effect the claim. {Incorrect}
D. This option is similar to our pre-phrasing. The new housing projects will replace the older complexes. It will have no effect on the recreation areas. {Correct option}
E. This will weakens the Mayors claim. Out!!

IMO D