The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of th

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The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family. It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

This argument is based on all of the following assumptions EXCEPT

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence.
B. people who live in extended families feel less stress.
C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone.
D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging.
E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior.

PallabiKundu · Answer

I think A is the answer, because Interdependence corresponds to extended family, however , the statement states just the opposite

EncounterGMAT · Answer

The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family. It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

This argument is based on all of the following  assumptions EXCEPT  -> 4 correct assumptions in options. Spot these 4!

Let's jot down the points:
Premise: Biggest failure of mod Amer society-no extended family
Conclusion: That is why, society violent and many Americans feel isolated and stressful.

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence. -> okay Americans value independence > interdependence but I honestly don't find any connection of this sentence with the argument. So better to move forward and choose proper 4 assumptions and the 5th option will be the answer.

B. people who live in extended families feel less stress. -> Yes. Definitely possible assumption. No wonder why modern families feel so isolated.

C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone. -> This assumption is kinda possible because modern Americans don't go for extended families so such feelings are possible.

D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging. -> similar explanation as option B

E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior. -> Possible assumption.

According to me, option B to option E directly or indirectly connected itself with premise and conclusion. Assumptions must always link itself with the premise and conclusion. Now it is safe to confirm that  option A (IMO)  is the correct answer here since it can't be the assumption to this argument.

eakabuah · Answer

The conclusion is that American society has become so violent with many Americans having a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

Answer choice E is the correct answer. The argument did not conclude that a deep sense of isolation and stress lead to antisocial and violent lives. It concludes that the rejection of the extended family has led to the American society becoming so violent and a sense of isolation and stress. E is therefore not an assumption on which the argument is based.

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unraveled · Answer

Argument implies that rejection of extended family has lead American society to become violent and thus many Americans feel isolated and stressed.

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence. – CORRECT. What is valued by Americans is not related to violent behavior. 
B. people who live in extended families feel less stress. – WRONG. Negating the option says that people who don’t live in extended families feel less stress thus argument fails to stand. 
C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone. – WRONG. If American society is concerned hence a large percentage is what would establish the fact. A small number of people here and there in isolation would not matter.
D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging. – WRONG. If that’s not the case then argument breaks thus this is an assumption.
E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior. – WRONG. If ‘deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress’ are disassociated with violent behavior then argument breaks hence an assumption.

Answer (A).

Prasannathawait · Answer

The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family. It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

This argument is based on all of the following assumptions EXCEPT

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence.-----This point is out of concern 
 B. people who live in extended families feel less stress.
C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone.
D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging.
E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior.

zetus · Answer

There is no mention of independence in the argument (out of scope).

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snoep · Answer

The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family. It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

Failure is -> Rejection of extended family
No wonder, Society -. so violent
Americans -> feel isolated and stressed

somehow author wants us believe extended family has something to do with the outcome or results of some effects

This argument is based on all of the following assumptions EXCEPT

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence.
argument does not discuss values of Americans in regards to independency and interdependenc..no where in evidence or conclusion does author refer these terms

B. people who live in extended families feel less stress.
this is not explicitly state but it is assumed

C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone.
argument is based on - so many Americans so it is referring to large group

D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging.
this is also assumed

E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior. 
this is also assumed

A is the answer!

J2S2019 · Answer

IMO the correct answer is A

Conclusion: - The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family
Premise:-It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

Jump is - Society is Violent, many Americans feel isolated & stressed-----------> Rejection of extended family leading to failure of modern american scoiety

Assumption: - exclusion from extended family might have caused the violent behavior & leading to isolated feelings & stress.

Now coming to the argument:-

The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of the extended family. It is no wonder our society is so violent and so many Americans feel a deep sense of isolation and overwhelming stress.

Anything that assumed to bridge the above mentioned gap is a possible assumption.

A. Americans value independence more than interdependence - No mention of this fact ~ can be our answer.
B. people who live in extended families feel less stress - Assumed - not our answer
C. a large percentage of Americans feels isolated and alone - stated fact
D. living in an extended family engenders a strong sense of belonging - Assumed - not our answer
E. deep feelings of isolation and overwhelming stress lead to antisocial and violent behavior - Assumed - not our answer

Bunuel · Answer

Official Explanation

Correct Answer: A

The argument that American society is violent and many Americans feel isolated and stressed (conclusion) because they have rejected the practice of extended families (premise) is based on several assumptions about extended families (e.g., that they ease stress and engender a sense of belonging), about Americans (e.g., that they feel isolated and alone), and about the effects of isolation and stress. It may be true that many Americans value independence more than interdependence, but that assumption is not directly related to the argument. It does not serve as a link between the premise and the conclusion.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of th

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The greatest failure of modern American society is its rejection of th

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