Official AnswerThe question stem asks which answer choice can be property inferred. Since the correct answer choice must be supported by the passage, this is an inference question. Do not bother breaking the passage into its conclusion, premise, and assumption for inference questions. Instead, focus on what the passage states directly. The correct answer must be true based on the facts in the passage.
The passage states that although some financial aid is available for graduate school, it tends to be awarded to those students who have already been academically successful and who may qualify for nonfederal, merit-based scholarships and only a small number of students who could not have attended graduate school without financial support have received federal student loans. Therefore, the reduction in federal support for graduate student loans has damaged our educational system.
This passage contains a causality pattern because it states that the reduction in graduate student loans has damaged our educational system because only people who have already been academically successful receive the aid that is available. Evaluate the answer choices.
Choice A: No. The qualifications ...change from year to year is out of scope. The passage provides no information on how frequently reductions in federal support for graduate student loans occur.
Choice B: Correct. This choice is supported by the passage. The passage states that only a very small number of students who could not have attended graduate school without financial support have received federal student loans. Since only a small number of students who needed financial aid have received federal student loans, there may be other students who have not received the financial aid that they require.
Choice C: No. This choice is out of scope. The author believes that the reduction in federal support for graduate student loans has damaged our educational system. The passage is about financial help for graduate students rather than academic help.
Choice D: No. This choice is out of scope. Although the author states that there has been a reduction in federal support for graduate student loans, no information is provided on whether the current amount of loans is at a historic low.
Choice E: No. This choice is out of scope. The author notes that the federal loans available tend to be awarded to academically successful students, but does not state that these students should apply for merit-based scholarships rather than federal loans.
The correct answer is choice B.