#24- The shoe factory in Centerville is the town’s largest

[lsatmike]

Argument: Centerville's shoe factory employs more unskilled workers full time than others combined. If the shoe factory closes, then more than half of Centerville's residents who are unskilled workers with full time jobs in Centerville will lose their jobs.

I think I need something that will make my conclusion true.

A)Doesnt matter.
B)doesnt matter
C)doesnt matter
D)Right? If the shoe factory employs no one who is not a resident of Centerville then this strengthens my argument that over half will lose their jobs.
E) Doesnt matter. If there was another factory, the workers will still lose their job.


I chose D... and it was right!

[Charlie Melman]

Hi Mike,

Your reasoning is sound! The problem with this argument is extremely subtle, and might not be apparent on the first read. The stimulus says that the factory employs all these unskilled workers, but never actually says that they're residents of Centerville! If we assume that, then the conclusion makes perfect sense, and that's what answer choice (D) allows us to do.

Hope this helps!