- Mon May 02, 2016 3:27 pm
#23773
Complete Question Explanation
Parallel Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (E)
The author concludes that Chen’s plan is better because Ripley’s plan is supported by a self-interested party. This is a Source argument: Ripley’s plan may still be superior to Chen’s, regardless of how selfish her supporters are, or have been in the past. A quick scan through the five answer choices reveals that only answer choice (E) engages in reasoning of the same type. Answer choice (E) is therefore correct.
Answer choice (A): Here, the rationale for opposing a particular plan of action is that this plan is not in the best interest of the city. There is no mention of any alternative plan whose adoption is unadvisable due to the suspect nature of that plan’s supporters. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): For this answer to parallel the argument in the stimulus, it would have to conclude that the school board should not support the plan for a new high school, because the consultants in favor of it were highly paid.
Answer choice (C): The rationale for adopting the mayor’s budget is that it addresses the needs of the city as a whole, unlike the city council’s (which protects special interest groups). If true, this would be legitimate grounds for support of one proposal over another. There is no Source argument flaw in this answer.
Answer choice (D): The rationale for choosing Nomura over Miller is not who Miller’s supporters are (or have done in the past), but rather who Nomura’s supporters are. Since the author is not using the suspect nature of an opponent’s supporters as evidence that Nomura should be elected, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.
Parallel Reasoning. The correct answer choice is (E)
The author concludes that Chen’s plan is better because Ripley’s plan is supported by a self-interested party. This is a Source argument: Ripley’s plan may still be superior to Chen’s, regardless of how selfish her supporters are, or have been in the past. A quick scan through the five answer choices reveals that only answer choice (E) engages in reasoning of the same type. Answer choice (E) is therefore correct.
Answer choice (A): Here, the rationale for opposing a particular plan of action is that this plan is not in the best interest of the city. There is no mention of any alternative plan whose adoption is unadvisable due to the suspect nature of that plan’s supporters. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): For this answer to parallel the argument in the stimulus, it would have to conclude that the school board should not support the plan for a new high school, because the consultants in favor of it were highly paid.
Answer choice (C): The rationale for adopting the mayor’s budget is that it addresses the needs of the city as a whole, unlike the city council’s (which protects special interest groups). If true, this would be legitimate grounds for support of one proposal over another. There is no Source argument flaw in this answer.
Answer choice (D): The rationale for choosing Nomura over Miller is not who Miller’s supporters are (or have done in the past), but rather who Nomura’s supporters are. Since the author is not using the suspect nature of an opponent’s supporters as evidence that Nomura should be elected, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. See discussion above.
