The airline industry argues that fare increases are necessary because

Question

The airline industry argues that fare increases are necessary because of the high cost of implementing tightened security regulations. However, public schools and libraries are also adding tough new security measures, and their services are still free. This proves that the airlines are raising prices unnecessarily.

Which of the following, if true, provides the best reason to accept the airline industry's argument against the challenge made above?

A. The quality of private schools is noticeably better than that of public schools. 
 B. Airline prices are still a relative bargain when the time required to drive long distances is taken into account. 
 C. Public schools and libraries receive state and local tax money to subsidize their security enhancements. 
 D. The airline industry received federal money to improve security. 
 E. Most airport baggage screeners do not have college degrees.

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Shwarma · Answer

Option C

This was straight fwd
the reason ,others are still free is cox they are getting it subsidized else where- and C answers it well

Abdelaali91 · Answer

straightforward question : correct answer is C
Because public schools and libraries receive state and local tax money to subsidize their security enhancements then maybe they don't need to ask people to pay

Krunaal · Answer

The best answer is C.

This answer provides a valid reason for why public schools and libraries can offer their services for free despite implementing tough security measures: they are subsidized by state and local tax money.  Unlike public schools and libraries, airlines are private businesses that must cover their own costs , including the costs of security enhancements, which justifies the fare increases.

The other options do not directly address the comparison between airlines and public institutions or the financial dynamics involved.

prantorboni · Answer

The airline industry argues that fare increases are necessary because of the high cost of implementing tightened security regulations. However, public schools and libraries are also adding tough new security measures, and their services are still free. This proves that the airlines are raising prices unnecessarily.

To accept the airline industry's argument , we need to find a way in which implementation of security regulations certainly incur additional costs however  public schools and libraries  manages these expenses in a way so that it does not incur any additional costs. Now, consider option C,  Public schools and libraries receive state and local tax money to subsidize their security enhancements . Which completely aligns with our presumption.

Answer: C.

Bunuel · Answer

Kaplan Official Solution:

Identify the Question Type: 
 
 This is a Weaken question. The question stem indicates that there is a challenge in the stimulus, and that the correct answer will argue against, or weaken, that challenge.

Untangle the Stimulus: 
 
 The airlines claim they need to raise fares to pay for improved security measures. The author‘s challenge is that the airlines don’t really need to raise prices. After all, schools and libraries are also improving security and are doing so without any charge at all. The author is assuming that schools and libraries are comparable to airlines, at least with regards to fees and services.

Predict the Answer: 
 
 The correct answer will attack the author's assumption. It will suggest that the airlines are different from public schools and libraries in some way that affects their ability to finance new security measures. It's hard to know exactly what the GMAT will come up with, but having the general prediction in mind will make it much easier to eliminate wrong choices.

Evaluate the Answer Choices: 
 
  (C)  matches the prediction and is the correct answer. If schools and libraries are getting help in the form of public funds to pay for the security improvements, and the airlines are not, this weakens the argument that the airline's fare increases are unnecessary.

(A) is an irrelevant comparison. The quality of public versus private schools has no effect on the argument comparing airlines to public schools and libraries.

(B) is irrelevant. The overall price of airline tickets is not the focus of the argument, the increase in fare to cover the improved security measures is.

(D) is a 180. If the airlines are receiving public funding to improve security, it strengthens the author's argument. It is more likely the fare increases are unnecessary.

(E) is irrelevant; the education of airport baggage screeners has no effect on the argument.

TAKEAWAY:  If the conclusion and the evidence focus on groups, weaken the argument by showing how the groups are different.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The airline industry argues that fare increases are necessary because

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The airline industry argues that fare increases are necessary because

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