Total contribution by individuals to political parties were

Question

Total contribution by individuals to political parties were up 25 percent in this most recent presidential election over those of four years earlier. Hence, it is abvious that people are no longer as apathetic as they were, but they are taking a greater interest in politics.

Which of the following, if true, would most considerably weaken the preceding argument?

A. The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four year period.

B. Per capita income of the polulation increased by 15 percent udring the four years in question.

C. Public leaders continue to warn citizens against the dangers of political apathy.

D. Contributions made by large corporations to political parties declined during the four year period.

E. Fewer people voted in the most recent presidential election than in the one four years earlier.

   Please explain your answer.

giddi77 · Answer

E?

IMHO, this is not a properly framed question, but here is my explanation for E

A - The argument mentions  "total contribution"   but we have no knowledge abount the number of people. There could be more people contributing now than there were four years ago. 
B/C - OOS
D - Individuals and large corporations may not be the not the only ones that contribute to the political parties. There can be other groups also.
E - This refutes the conclusion that people are taking greater interest in politics. Although not very convincing, IMHO this can weaken the argument.

andy_gr8 · Answer

My answer is B..
If right then i would explain.
OA please?

JAI HIND · Answer

I would choose E.
The point to focus here is not about the amount of contribution but about the active involvement of the people.
E clearly says that the number of people during this election was less. Irrespective of the amount of contribution, if people are less, they are more apathetic and not less.

andy_gr8 · Answer

But in the question stem- the author is trying to conclude that "people are apathetic" based on the evidence that "less money is being spent". So shouldn't our answer also have that "money part" reflected in it?

hkm_gmat · Answer

should be A !

A. HITS THE NAIL ---- The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four year period. ie the electorate increased. 

B. 15% Indicates some improvement in contribution but less than the rate of increase of contribution

C. Out of scope

D. Out of scope 

E. Out of Scope

SunShine · Answer

IMO it should be E.


B C D, OUT OF SCOPE

 Total contribution by individuals to political parties were up 25 percent in this most recent presidential election over those of four years earlier. Hence, it is abvious that people are no longer as apathetic as they were, but they are taking  a greater interest in politics .

Which of the following, if true, would most considerably weaken the preceding argument?

A. The average contribution per individual actually declined during the same four year period.

 this means that more people are contributing, that results in a 25% increase in the contibution.
This does not mean greater interest in politics, it could mean that large number of people are taking interest in politics. 

B. Per capita income of the polulation increased by 15 percent udring the four years in question.

C. Public leaders continue to warn citizens against the dangers of political apathy.

D. Contributions made by large corporations to political parties declined during the four year period.

E. Fewer people voted in the most recent presidential election than in the one four years earlier.

 E. suggests people are less interested in politics and therfore they do not vote.

ps_dahiya · Answer

OA is E and OE is above. The main point is "The point to focus here is not about the amount of contribution but about the active involvement of the people." as described by JAI HIND

rlevochkin · Answer

straight E.

Total contribution by individuals to political parties were

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