#11 - Ross: Many governments have attempted to regulate

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (E).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice.

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[Bluestem0000]

Hi Powerscore,
1. I'm having trouble with finding a rationale for eliminating Answer Choice A as a contender, which says that few governments are willing to shoulder the expense of employing dramatists and performers.
2. The term, "honorary employee", is throwing me off. I've never encountered this term before--do they mean like an honorary (unpaid) employee? If so, I see how A would not weaken...

[Jeff Wren]

Hi Bluestem,

1. The conclusion of the argument is that "an effective strategy for controlling theater and satisfying the public is to make dramatists and performers honored employees of the government." In other words, this conclusion is making a recommendation for what would be an effective solution to this problem.

The fact that "few governments are willing to shoulder the expense of employing dramatists and performers" doesn't weaken the conclusion that it would be an effective strategy if implemented.

Here's an analogy that may be helpful.

An effective way to help prevent injuries is to stretch before and after working out.

Stating that few athletes are willing to spend the time to stretch before and after working out doesn't weaken the claim that stretching would be an effective way to help prevent injuries. In other words, the fact that many of these athletes aren't willing to follow this strategy is their problem; it is not actually a weakness with the strategy itself being effective. "Effective" doesn't necessarily mean "easy." People often do not use effective strategies for any number of reasons, and this is often true of governments as well.

2. The term used in the stimulus is actually "honored employees" rather than "honorary employees." As far as I can tell, these aren't exactly the same thing. "Honored employees" are actual employees (meaning they are paid and do actual work) who are recognized for their efforts, such as "Employee of the Year" awards. "Honorary employees" are not actual employees (meaning they are not paid and do not do actual work); instead they are given a symbolic title without pay and without any work required.

Answer E is the best answer as it directly weakens the part of the conclusion that this strategy would also satisfy the public.