The stated goal of the government's funding program for the arts is to

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.

Basically the argument states that:
Govt funding -> Artist tries to please the govt by his or her art -> Artist will not produce creation of artistic excellence.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which Senator Beton's argument is based?
(A)Most taxpayers have little or no interest in the creation of works of true artistic excellence - OFS
(B)Government funding of the arts is more generous than other financial support most artists receive - The same thing applies to other financial funding also. But this is not the assumption.
(C) Distribution of government funds for the arts is based on a broad agreement as to what constitutes artistic excellence - Cannot be the assumption.
(D)Once an artist has produced works of true artistic excellence, he or she will never accept government funding - OFS
(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. - Correct

the key word here is "lead" b/c it shows a causal relation
in this question, if test takers read the passage and options quickly, they will can choose the right answer without much considerations.

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.

Goal => encourage art of excellence
Government funded work => No independent artistic conscience (Said SB)
Why? artist try to please those who control the distribution of that support
hence, government funding of the arts is burden for Tax Payers + No encourage art of excellence

Which one of the following is an assumption on which Senator Beton's argument is based?

(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.

The Senator's reasoning is essentially

Premise --> Subsidiary Conclusion --> Main Conclusion

Prem:
Artists try to please those who give them money
thus,
Subsid. Conc:
Govt-funded artwork can't reflect the artist's conscience
thus,
Main Conc:
Govt.-funded artwork will never be truly excellent.

(E) addresses the gap between the subsidiary conclusion and the main conclusion.


=== other answers ===
(A) the "interest of taxpayers" is out of scope, and the word "most" is wrong 99% of the time you see it in Necessary Assumption.

(B) this makes an unnecessary comparison between "how generous" govt. funding is vs. other types of funding. other types of funding is classic "out of scope".

(C) Somewhat tricky, but the govt. can encourage the creation of works of artistic excellence without having to believe that there is broad agreement as to what that it is. Similarly, the Senator can make a claim denying that govt-funded work is artistically excellent without having to believe that there is broad agreement as to what that standard is. Finally, "the distribution of funds" being based on the broad agreement of excellence goes beyond anything mentioned.

(D) There's no reason the Senator has to assume this extreme, sweeping claim. The Senator only has to assume that if an artist produced works of true excellence and then began to accept govt. funding, the subsequent artworks would no longer be truly excellent.

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?


This is not the point. However much most tax payers feel is out of the context. (A) is out.

This comparison was never mentioned. (B) out.

Tbh. I don't know how does this fit into the reasoning. (C) is out.

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.

This connects the point that was discussed earlier.

Only E is left. (E) is the correct answer.