Quote:
Political Spokesperson: The biggest and most apparent flaw in the state’s railroad program, blatantly overlooked by those in power, is its timeline. 12 years’ horizon for the ambitious project is way too long given the importance it carries for development of the lagging state. In such a span, the government will change twice, technology shall advance by generations, and inflation will halve the value of the allocated budget! Given the lackadaisical record of the administering body, these practical factors have certainly not been planned for and the taxpayer’s money and state’s infrastructure are in jeopardy. A phase-wise implementation with smaller budgets and timelines shall give the project, its best chance of success.
A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.
The passage presents one side of a political debate regarding a very essential but extremely large scale railroad project. The author is opposing the implementation plan and noting potential pitfalls of the plan in place. Author concludes the argument by presenting an alternate plan for the project.
BF-1: States how the extended timeframe of the project will impact the project's execution. The govt would change twice, technological developments may render the project outdated or redundant and inflation will eat away the budget.
BF-2: Presents an alternate plan where phase wise planning and implementation is instead put in place, which in the author's opinion shall enhance the project's chances of success.
Quote:
A. The first is an assumption that forms the basis for a course of action that the argument criticizes; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
The first is for sure an assumption but it does not form the basis of the criticism, it IS the criticism. The 1st BF enlists why the project strategy is destined for failure it is not the basis for the critique.
Eliminate.Quote:
B. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second is a consideration that is used to cast doubt on that assumption.
The first is an assumption that opposes the current strategy, sure that seems fine. The 2nd though clearly does not cast doubt on the assumption rather presents an alternate plan that alleviates the criticisms that the assumptions raise.
Eliminate.Quote:
C. The first is an assumption that has been used to oppose a certain strategy; the second presents the course of action endorsed by the argument.
The first part is a repeat of B and we already concluded that it fits the argument. Yup! and the second does provide an alternate strategy that the argument supports. Everything seems to be in order here.
Lets hold on to this one.Quote:
D. The first is a consideration raised to explain the appeal of a certain strategy; the second is a consideration raised to call into question the wisdom of adopting that strategy.
The first BF does not support but actually opposes the strategy and the 2nd one provides a workaround. All wrong.
Eliminate.Quote:
E. The first is a consideration raised to show that adopting a certain strategy is unlikely to achieve the intended effect; the second is presented to explain the appeal of that strategy.
The first part seems fine although I would argue that E softens the blow a bit, but the second definitely does not present the appeal of that strategy it says it should be reworked altogether
Eliminate.C is your answer then.