Bunuel wrote:
Government take-over of foreign private industry in developing countries is generally regarded as an example by which the profits and benefits of a foreign enterprise can be redirected to improve the lot of native populations. The government’s takeover of a large foreign mining operation in a fledgling African country a few years ago is a poor example of this principle, however. The government ousted the corporation in name, but the management team and workforce, most of whom were foreign, remained to operate the facility and were given a large pay increase. Profits from the operation were thus severely reduced. As a result, native projects did not receive large profits from the operation, nor were natives hired to replace foreign workers.
Which one of the following describes the type of argument used in the passage?
(A) The author supplies an example that supports the general principle.
(B) The author compares and contrasts two divergent examples of the same principle.
(C) The author weakens the argument by supplying evidence which undermines the argument.
(D) The author disproves the argument with one compelling example.
(E) The author explains why all general principles have flaws.
Official Explanation
(A) is not the correct answer. The example does not support the general principle—that government take-over of foreign business benefits native populations.
(B) is not correct, because the author presents only one example of the principle, not two divergent examples.
(C) is the correct selection. The author challenges the general principle by identifying a situation in which the native population did not benefit by government’s take-over of a foreign business.
(D) is not correct. The author didn’t completely disprove the argument; he only provided one example that didn’t follow the general principle.
(E) is not correct. In the passage, the author points out why this principle is not borne out by every situation, but he does not argue that all general principles have flaws