Bunuel wrote:
University X has announced that its library will not be open during the summer. Students attending classes during the summer have protested, saying that the library has research materials that cannot be borrowed from any public library in the area. The university administration has responded with an announcement that all university library materials will be accessible online through computers that are provided to all students for free by the university.
Which of the following best describes a method of argument used by the university administration?
A. The administration counters a concern with an alternative.
B. The administration incorrectly makes an assumption about students' preferences.
C. The administration provides an explanation that it assumes will clarify its decision.
D. The administration defends its actions by criticizing the logic of its opponents.
E. The administration makes an unwarranted assumption about the motives of some of the students.
VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:
The students have specifically expressed their concern that they can't borrow the materials from a public library, which is why they want the library open. The university administration counters with an alternative solution to the problem -- access the materials online.
Accordingly, choice A is the correct answer. Answer choice B is incorrect because it is not clear that the administration is assuming anything about the students' preferences; nor is it certain that, even if the administration assumes that the students will prefer online materials to hard copies, that assumption will be incorrect.
Answer choice C is also incorrect; the administration does not explain its decision to close the library, but rather offers an alterative solution.
Answer choice D is incorrect, as the administration does not criticize the students at all, but rather addresses their concerns.
Similarly, answer choice E is also incorrect, as the administration does not address the motives of the students at all.