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As the United States demonstrated during its early development, it is not enough for citizens simply to have the rights; the successful functioning of a democracy requires that they also know how to exercise those rights. Access to formal education was one necessary component that helped the U.S. citizenry to learn how to exercise its rights. Therefore, in order for a democracy to function successfully, its citizens must have access to a formal education.

The author develops the argument by


(A) using an analogy to establish a precedent for planned future event

(B) illustrating differences in the requirements for the functioning of a democracy depending upon the democracy in question

(C) introducing an example that illustrates a common principle

(D) forming a hypothesis that explains apparently contradictory pieces of evidence

(E) supplying an alternative explanation for a known phenomenon

why is A not the answer even though I marked C?
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As the United States demonstrated during its early development, it is not enough for citizens simply to have the rights; the successful functioning of a democracy requires that they also know how to exercise those rights. Access to formal education was one necessary component that helped the U.S. citizenry to learn how to exercise its rights. Therefore, in order for a democracy to function successfully, its citizens must have access to a formal education.

The author develops the argument by


(A) using an analogy to establish a precedent for planned future event

(B) illustrating differences in the requirements for the functioning of a democracy depending upon the democracy in question

(C) introducing an example that illustrates a common principle

(D) forming a hypothesis that explains apparently contradictory pieces of evidence

(E) supplying an alternative explanation for a known phenomenon

Official Explanation:

US has shown that formal education is a must for the smooth functioning of democracy as peopple become aware of their rights.

The author develops the argument by

(A) using an analogy to establish a precedent for a planned future event

Yes quite close. It is indeed an analogy on previoue event and present democracy. But the giveaway is "planned future event" we are talking of democracy in general and not some planned event.

(B) illustrating differences in the requirements for the functioning of a democracy depending upon the democracy in question

Out of context. There are no differences being talked of.

(C) introducing an example that illustrates a common principle

This answer choice fits in properly. US democracy is an example and the successful running of democracies is a common principle.

(D) forming a hypothesis that explains apparently contradictory pieces of evidence

Out of context. No hypothesis is being talked of and no contradictory pieces are produced.

(E) supplying an alternate explanation for a known phenomenon

There is no alternate explanation rather the author follows the same line of reasoning.

Answer: C
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Struggled to understand the true difference between "analogy" and an "example" so sharing my two cents on this question here.

Let’s restructure the argument to identify its key components:

Claim: A successful democracy requires that citizens know how to exercise their rights, not just have those rights.
Example: The U.S. during its early development demonstrates this principle—formal education was key in teaching citizens how to exercise their rights.
Conclusion (Generalization): Therefore, for any democracy to function, citizens must have access to formal education.

By introducing the historical example of early U.S. democracy, the author supports the point about democracies in general. The U.S. example serves as evidence to illustrate the broader principle.

But how do we know it's an example and not an analogy?
An example is a specific case that illustrates or supports a broader point. In this case, the U.S. is presented as an actual historical instance of how formal education supports democracy => Example
On the other hand, an analogy compares two different situations to show their similarity. No two different situations are presented here, let alone a comparison.
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