International Policy Adviser: People over the age of 65 are underrepresented in the government of Country X. Because the government sets the country's policy priorities and passes new laws, the underrepresentation of people over the age of 65 results in a significant lack of consideration for issues important to this age group, such as pensions, age-related welfare, and employment discrimination; only an increase in the number of government officials will solve the problem.
Which of the following best describes an assumption implicit to the international policy adviser's argument?The adviser argues that people over 65 are underrepresented in government, and that this causes too little attention to issues important to them. So the argument assumes that increasing their representation in government would actually lead to more attention to those issues.
The missing link is between representation and
policy consideration.
(A) A significant increase in the size of Country X's government would be required in order to increase the representation of people over the age of 65 in the government.
Wrong. The argument requires increasing the number of officials over 65, not necessarily increasing the total size of the government.
(B) A significant increase in the representation of people over the age of 65 in Country X's government would result in an increase in the consideration for issues affecting people in this age group.
Correct. This directly connects the proposed solution to the problem. If more officials over 65 would not lead to more consideration of issues affecting that group, then the adviser’s argument would fail.
(C) A significant increase in funding toward educating the government about issues affecting people over age 65 would result in more serious consideration for issues affecting people in this age group.
Wrong. This suggests another possible solution, but the adviser’s argument does not depend on whether education funding would help.
(D) A significant increase in funding for adult education targeted to people over age 65 would result in an increase in the number of such people in Country X's government.
Wrong. This is about how to increase representation, not whether increased representation would solve the stated problem.
(E) A significant increase in the representation of people over the age of 65 in Country X's government would have to precede any increase in the number of high-ranking government officials who are over the age of 65.
Wrong. The argument is about overall representation and attention to age-related issues, not specifically high-ranking officials.
Answer: (B)