12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 10: Legislator: Although

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?

The author is saying that the people should vote against the bill to increase the minimum wage because voting for the bill will likely have a negative impact on the economy. But what if the low wage is already having a negative impact and that is why the bill was proposed? The author is assuming that the low wage has no negative impact.

A. The next general election is only a few months away. not a negative impact

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad. correct if talented people migrated because of low pay, this could impact the economy negatively.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted. not a negative impact

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection. not a negative impact

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable. not a negative impact

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?


A. The next general election is only a few months away.-- Even if the next election were 1 year away the argument could still hold. Its irrelevant. WRONG.

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.-- We are talking about entire businesses shifting abroad so the scope of workers, let alone talented workers, is out. Moreover, this only talks about talented workers, limiting the point. WRONG.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.-- Even if the reasons were non-economic, the argument could hold because the negative impacts of the bill would still be valid. This doesn't affect the argument. WRONG.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.-- If anything, this could weaken the argument as the legislators would want to satisfy the public and gain more votes for their limited tenure. WRONG.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.-- Exactly what we need. If the popularity of a bill is not the only deciding factor for its viability then the legislator's argument will be strengthened because he/she mentions another reason to consider before passing the bill. CORRECT.

Answer= E

Strengthen the Argument:
Crux: There is popularity of the min wage increase & thus can inflate the vote bank however, in the long term can jeapordise the economy as locals might not get any wage at all as the employment gets completely transferred to cheaper labor in labor intensive nations. Thus legislator proposes to reject the bill and not increase min wage

2 ways we can solve this Q:
A) Either find a choice that broadly supports this crux
B) Eliminate choices that don't support or undermine this crux

Lets first start with B
A is out as it doesn't matter when the election is. Doesn't make any difference to crux. Eliminate A
B is out as the focus is not on "brain drain" of talented workers which is a subset. We are talking about the macro level all employed folks so eliminate B
C This is a strong reason why the bill should be approved and thus a weakener. 180 degree opp of what we want eliminate C
D This is a fun fact which neither strengthens nor weakens the argument. Eliminate D

By Elimination D is the ans but lets look at E and solve it method A)
The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable: This hits the nail precisely the argument that legislator makes. Popularity means that it catches attention it doesn't mean that it is fundamentally good and has "substance". legislator goes on to provide a strong reason why despite this being popular is detrimental in the long run
Thus E is the ans

A. The next general election is only a few months away. - irrelevant

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.- correct

A. The next general election is only a few months away.
This is not helping in any way to support the stand taken by the legislator.

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
If low wages are not driving the talented workers to seek employment abroad then increasing the same is not going to help anyways in fact the problem still stands that companies will be moving their work offshores.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
This is a weakner for the legislator's stand we are looking for a strengthener.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Irrelevant.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Exactly in line with the legislator's argument.

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?

The legislator urges his colleagues to vote against the proposed bill to increase minimum wage since he believes that this bill may lead businesses to move overseas.
We need to find an answer choice that strengthens the legislators position.

A. The next general election is only a few months away.
Irrelevant to the conclusion in the argument.

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
If the wages are low to the point that talented workers are moving overseas anyways, then, eventually, businesses are going to move as well since they do not find the talented workers they are looking for locally. And in this case, this would WEAKEN the legislator's position, since the effect is happening anyways.
However, if the talented workers are NOT moving because of the low wages, then it is much more likely that businesses are going to stay. This answer choice STRENGTHENS the legislator's position.
CORRECT

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
Even so, this does not affect the legislator's position in any way. Even if what this choice says is true, it does not address the fact that the legislator is worried about businesses moving overseas.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Irrelevant to the conclusion in the argument.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Irrelevant to the conclusion in the argument.

Answer: B

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

So the conclusion is - "I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill"

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?


A. The next general election is only a few months away. We are not concerned about the next general election

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
Yes , if low Low wages are driving talented workers to seek employment abroad then it will impact the national economy. But option says Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
Reasons are out of the scope

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Again out of scope

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Again out of scope

Answer is B

The question stem asks us to strengthen the Legislator's view. And what is that? That voters are not considering the potential negative consequences, and that businesses might start outsourcing their operations abroad. So, the members of the assembly shouldn't vote based on popularity, rather they should vote considering the effects of the bill on the economy.

Let's take a look at the options now:


This does give us a motive, but we don't know whether the members of the assembly are participating in the next general election.


This imo is the correct answer. If the talented workers are not seeking employment abroad, then not passing the bill would not have any detrimental impact on the economy. This strengthens the Legislator's viewpoint.


This rather weakens the argument. If there are non-economic reasons to be considered, then the members of the assembly might be voting in favour of the bill because of these reasons, and not because the bill is popular.


This again weakens the argument. If the legislators are not eligible for reelection, then they are not voting for the bill to gain popularity.


Same as C and D.

Hence, option B is the best bet.

IMO B

A. The next general election is only a few months away.
Irrelevant.
B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
Correct. Voters should vote against this bill if they are not driven abroad to seek employment.
C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
Doesn't explain why the legislator's argument is justified.
D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Again Irrelevant.
E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Irrelevant.

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas.

Conclusion: Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?



This is a general statement and does not impact the legislator's position.
Even if the next general election is only a few months away, why someone should vote against the bill
Incorrect


If low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad, then on increasing the minimum wages, corporations may move operations overseas because of increasing costs.
On the contrary, if low wages are driving talented workers to seek employment abroad, then that may also impact national economy, forcing increase in minimum wages.
To avoid corporations moving operations abroad negatively impacting national economy, the legislator urges to vote against the bill.
Correct


This statement goes agains the legislator's position .
If there are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted, there is a reason to vote for the bill rather than against it.
Incorrect


This statement does not impact the legislator's position
Even if Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection, why someone should vote against the bill
Incorrect


The statement supports the legislator's position in some way but does not completely justify the position.
Even if the popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable, why should someone vote against the popular bill of minimum wage increase.
Option B is definitely better than option E.
Incorrect

IMO B

We have to strengthen legislator's position. This Q looks like an assumption Q.

A. The next general election is only a few months away.
Incorrect, out of scope

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
Correct.
Negate it->Low wages are driving talented workers to seek employment abroad. In such a scenario, the legislator's position to not raise the wages falls apart since workers will move abroad to seek better employment.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
Incorrect, reasons are out of scope

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Incorrect, term of legislators is out of scope

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Incorrect, out of scope

Ans->B

The Legislator justifies his position to vote against the bill as the bill could have a negative impact on the national economy.

We to have to strengthen the Legislator's view point.

A. The next general election is only a few months away.

Rather a weakener as it proposes to vote against a popular bill despite election is only a few months away

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.

Out of Scope.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.

Here we are talking about the negative effect the bill would have on the economy. This option confirms that wage increase would not help the economy. Hence a good choice.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.

Out of Scope.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.

Weakens, as it states that there are other factors involved for which the bill is viable and possibly the legislator is overlooking them.

IMO - C

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?

The answer should be C. We need to justify the legislator's position by increasing the belief that economic reasons might not have been considered by majority of voters while proposing this bill.

A. The next general election is only a few months away.

This is incorrect as it does not give any reasons to increase my belief that bill may impact the economy negatively.

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.

This is a very attractive answer, although to my belief, ultimately incorrect. If low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad, that means they will be here for employment. However, this does not do anything to increase my belief that proposed bill impact negatively and that voters should vote against it.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.

This is correct as it indicates a reason for why voters might not have considered the economic impact that proposed bill could have on the economy.

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.

This is incorrect as it slightly weakens the intention of the voters communicated. If they are not eligible for reelection, then they might not get any benefits for voting in favour of bill. Hence weakens.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.

This is incorrect as it is not relevant. If popularity of the bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable , it does not increase my belief in the legislator's position.

Answer IMO should be B

Conclusion: The legislator wants the voters to vote against the bill

Reason: If the bill passes there would be extra costs and some corps might have to move operations overseas

A. The next general election is only a few months away. Irrelevant, has nothing to do with the voting against the bill

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad. CORRECT

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted. This actually weakens the legislator's position

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection. Irrelevant, has nothing to do with the voting against the bill

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable. This actually weakens the legislator's position

Legislator: Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters, they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy. In particular, the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?


A. The next general election is only a few months away.
Irrelevant

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
This option eliminates a potential weakner. Hence keep it

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
It weakens the conclusion

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
Irrelevant

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
Irrelevant


(B) is correct IMO

Correct Option E

Legislator:
Although the proposed bill to increase the minimum wage polls well with prospective voters,
they are overlooking the potential negative impacts it could likely have on the national economy.
In particular,
the extra costs it would impose on businesses may lead some corporations to move operations overseas.
Therefore, I implore my colleagues to look beyond their own electoral prospects and vote against this bill.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?
Legislator trying to address to look for another posiablity apart from increasing daily wages
and post approval of this bill, will not be viable for the county economy

A. The next general election is only a few months away. - Wrong - Irrelavant
B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad - Wrong - Irrelavant
C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted - Wrong - Irrelavant
D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for re-election - Wrong - Irrelavant
E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable - Correct

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the legislator’s position?

Legislator's position: The bill should be voted against to avoid potential negative impacts to the national economy.
Our objective: Justify the position

A. The next general election is only a few months away.
-> This does not strengthen the legilsator's position

B. Low wages are not driving talented workers to seek employment abroad.
-> If low wages were driving talented workers to seek employment abroad, the low minimum wage would negatively effect the economy. Given that this is not the case, the legislator's position is more justified with this information.

C. There are non-economic reasons that voters believe the minimum wage increase is warranted.
-> The legislator's position is based on economic consequences, so this is unrelated - at best, this statement does not impact the position, at worst it weakens it

D. Many legislators are term-limited and not eligible for reelection.
-> This does not effect the legislator's position.

E. The popularity of a bill is not the sole reason to consider it viable.
-> This does not justify the position of the legislator