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globaldesi
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21 Jan 2021, 23:31
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C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
55% (01:33) correct
45%
(01:53)
wrong
based on 319
sessions
History
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Result
Not Attempted Yet
Representative: “Our prisons have been criticized for having what some say are inadequate facilities. Whereas it is true that there are still many improvements to be made, critics should consider that improving the prisons has been one of the state’s primary concerns in the past few years. In fact over the last few years, we have spent more money on this project than any other."
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the reasoning in the representative’s argument?
a) Prison systems in neighboring states have also been criticized for having inadequate facilities.
b) In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of felony convictions in this state.
c) Only states with presently inadequate facilities would need to allocate large amounts of money to the prison
d) In general, prison systems require more money to maintain than other institutions of a comparable size.
e) State funds should go toward improving the economy and eradicating homelessness, not improving the prisons
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the reasoning in the representative’s argument?
a) Prison systems in neighboring states have also been criticized for having inadequate facilities.
b) In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of felony convictions in this state.
c) Only states with presently inadequate facilities would need to allocate large amounts of money to the prison
d) In general, prison systems require more money to maintain than other institutions of a comparable size.
e) State funds should go toward improving the economy and eradicating homelessness, not improving the prisons
Jks3000
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05 Feb 2021, 21:36
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Its called "Circular Reasoning".
06 Feb 2021, 22:22
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Premise : Over the last few years, State has spent more money on this project than any other and there are still many improvements to be made.
Conclusion : Critics should consider that improving the prisons has been one of the state’s primary concerns in the past few years.
The argument structure is :
NOT X because Y
where X = Improving the prison is a primary concern.
Y = State has spent more money on this project than any other.
Prethink :
To weaken this argument NOT X because Y , we should consider the case : Y because of X.
i.e. If Y took place because it was the mandate by X, we can't say Y to be the preventive action against X.
Thus, the structure NOT X because Y is weakened.
Let's look at the choices now.
a) Prison systems in neighboring states have also been criticized for having inadequate facilities.
We don't know if the prison systems in the other states too are criticized for inadequate facilities.
So, the information about other states doesn't help in anything.
b) In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of felony convictions in this state.
This information might just help to infer that the number of prisoners is high and hence the state prison system can't be criticised for inadequate facilities.
However, we have no inference about the per-head facility of the prisoners (hence no direct correlation between number and inadequacy), but critics question the overall lack in facility.
c) Only states with presently inadequate facilities would need to allocate large amounts of money to the prison
This information states that Y because of X i.e. money spent is because of inadequate facilities. Hence, we can NOT say that Improving the prison is a primary concern (X) because State has spent more money on this project than any other (Y). Correct.
d) In general, prison systems require more money to maintain than other institutions of a comparable size.
If the prison systems ,in general, require more money to maintain than other institutions. We can't say that improving the prison is a primary concern of state.
e) State funds should go toward improving the economy and eradicating homelessness, not improving the prisons.
Such recommendations or action do not say anything about the current prison system. The current prison system may or may not have adequate facilities and hence we can't infer the primary concern of the state as well.
Hence, C.
Conclusion : Critics should consider that improving the prisons has been one of the state’s primary concerns in the past few years.
The argument structure is :
NOT X because Y
where X = Improving the prison is a primary concern.
Y = State has spent more money on this project than any other.
Prethink :
To weaken this argument NOT X because Y , we should consider the case : Y because of X.
i.e. If Y took place because it was the mandate by X, we can't say Y to be the preventive action against X.
Thus, the structure NOT X because Y is weakened.
Let's look at the choices now.
a) Prison systems in neighboring states have also been criticized for having inadequate facilities.
We don't know if the prison systems in the other states too are criticized for inadequate facilities.
So, the information about other states doesn't help in anything.
b) In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of felony convictions in this state.
This information might just help to infer that the number of prisoners is high and hence the state prison system can't be criticised for inadequate facilities.
However, we have no inference about the per-head facility of the prisoners (hence no direct correlation between number and inadequacy), but critics question the overall lack in facility.
c) Only states with presently inadequate facilities would need to allocate large amounts of money to the prison
This information states that Y because of X i.e. money spent is because of inadequate facilities. Hence, we can NOT say that Improving the prison is a primary concern (X) because State has spent more money on this project than any other (Y). Correct.
d) In general, prison systems require more money to maintain than other institutions of a comparable size.
If the prison systems ,in general, require more money to maintain than other institutions. We can't say that improving the prison is a primary concern of state.
e) State funds should go toward improving the economy and eradicating homelessness, not improving the prisons.
Such recommendations or action do not say anything about the current prison system. The current prison system may or may not have adequate facilities and hence we can't infer the primary concern of the state as well.
Hence, C.
