After receiving numerous complaints from residents about loud, highly

Question

After receiving numerous complaints from residents about loud, highly amplified music played at local clubs, Middletown is considering a law that would prohibit clubs located in residential areas from employing musical groups that consist of more than three people.

The likelihood that the law would be effective in reducing noise would be most seriously diminished if which of the following were true?

A. Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians.
B. In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas.
C. Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs.
D. Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians.
E. Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians.

ID: 500127
CR91661.01
Verbal Review 2020 NEW QUESTION

globaldesi · Accepted Answer

After receiving numerous complaints from residents about loud, highly amplified music played at local clubs, Middletown is considering a law that would prohibit clubs located in residential areas from employing musical groups that consist of more than three people.

Stmt suggests:  It is the number of people that causes amplified music voice to increase and reducing the number of people will reduce the noise.
However if we prove that noise is independent of the number of people. This will be weaked.
Option E clearly states that amplified sounds doesn't reduce with less number of people.
but lets look at other options too 
The likelihood that the law would be effective in reducing noise would be most seriously diminished if which of the following were true?

A. Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians. No effect on noise or doesnt break the conclusion that will reduce noise 
B. In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas. this infact supports the argument 
C. Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs. It has no effect since it does not weaken the stmt. as they will have noo impact on sound 
D. Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians. This again will no weaken since their is no opposition stated to ti 
E. Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians. As proved above this will weaken as rule will have no effect

anothermillenial · Answer

The conclusion isn’t explicitly stated in the stimulus, but we are told in the answer choice that:  employing groups with less than 3 people will (clearly) reduce noise . Is this necessarily true? This seems like an overly broad conclusion. How can we conclude that fewer people leads to less noise? A correct answer choice would be one that provides evidence that lack of people in a group won’t influence them to increase the volume of their music. This leads us to (E).

egmat · Answer

This one is fairly straightforward. The correct answer -  option E

Understanding the passage 
- Multiple complaints about loud music at local pubs from residents
- Proposed Law: prohibit clubs located in residential areas from employing musical groups of more than 3 people

Conclusion to Weaken 
The Law would be effective in reducing noise

Prethinking 
What new information will reduce our belief in the above conclusion?

What if? 
The Loudness of the music is not really related to the number of musicians (i.e. even without 4+ musicians, the music can be extremely loud (enough to warrant complaints))? Examples

1. Musical Groups of less than 3 people making as loud a noise
2. Equally Loud music being played by the owner(s) himself/herself (pre-recorded music rather than from a musician)

Then, it will reduce our belief in the notion that by prohibiting employment of musical groups of >3 people, noise will reduce.

Weakener:  Any statement that indicates that music played by groups of less than 3 is as loud if not more loud as that by >4 musicians

Option Choice Analysis 
A. Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians.
Cost of hiring musicians is not relevant to the argument which is about the loudness/noise level of music

B. In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas.
Zero relevance to whether the plan here (which assumes that the pubs stay in the same residential locations) will work or not

C. Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs.
Again irrelevant who the complainants are. The argument is about whether the plan will help reduce noise

D. Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians.
This is more of a STRENGTHENER rather than a weakener. The option tries to indicate that several of these local pubs may be hiring at least 4 musicians to ensure the music is popular, and we know that this music is too loud. In such a case, prohibition on such hiring may help as pubs may not be able to play this kind of music anymore. At best, it is a weak strengthener - definitely not a weakener.

E. Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians. 
Correct. As per prethinking. If this is true, then it reduces our belief that the plan (to prevent employment of >3 musicians) will work to reduce noise levels.

Hope this helps!
Regards,
Harsha

gmatftw777 · Answer

A.  Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians. 
Incorrect. This might make the law easier to enforce (as clubs might prefer smaller, cheaper groups anyway), but it doesn’t tell us whether the noise level will actually drop.

B.  In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas. 
Incorrect. If clubs move out of residential areas, the noise in those areas would decrease. This would actually suggest the law is effective in achieving its goal for the residents.

C.  Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs. 
Incorrect. The source of the complaints (neighbors vs. patrons) doesn't affect whether the law will successfully reduce the physical volume of the music.

D.  Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians. 
Incorrect. This might make the clubs or the fans unhappy, but it doesn't mean the law won't work. If the clubs are forced to hire smaller groups, the "popular" music might stop, potentially reducing noise.

E.  Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians.
Correct.  This is the strongest weakener. The law assumes that "fewer people = less noise." However, if a two-person band uses amplification to play just as loudly as a five-person band, then limiting the number of musicians will not reduce the noise levels at all. The law would be ineffective.

After receiving numerous complaints from residents about loud, highly

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