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- Thu Jul 14, 2016 1:02 pm
#27169
Complete Question Explanation
Method of Reasoning—CE. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author of this editorial questions the generally perceived link between the decline in volunteer groups and the increase in government services. The editorial’s argument is as follows:
While many claim that the increase in government services caused the decrease in the number of nongovernmental volunteer community groups, there may be another explanation: perhaps, the author asserts, it was really the other way around: maybe the decrease in the number of volunteer groups actually necessitated (or, caused) the increase in services provided by the government.
The question asks how the editorial undermines the referenced causal argument; it does so by suggesting a different explanation for the link between decreasing volunteer groups and increasing government services. Correct answer choice (D) describes this approach: the editorialist provides an alternative explanation of the relationship between government services and volunteer group numbers.
Answer choice (A) is incorrect because the editorial does suggest causality—but in the opposite direction. Answer choice (B) is a bit tricky, perhaps, but incorrect, because there is no counterexample provided—the editorialist simply suggests a different reason for the correlation.
Answer choices (C) and (E) both use inappropriately strong language (“proving”), considering the wording used for the conclusion in the editorial: “…But this may not be true.” The author questions a general belief and suggests an alternative explanation, but does not prove either of the assertions described by incorrect answer choices (C) and (E), respectively.
Method of Reasoning—CE. The correct answer choice is (D)
The author of this editorial questions the generally perceived link between the decline in volunteer groups and the increase in government services. The editorial’s argument is as follows:
While many claim that the increase in government services caused the decrease in the number of nongovernmental volunteer community groups, there may be another explanation: perhaps, the author asserts, it was really the other way around: maybe the decrease in the number of volunteer groups actually necessitated (or, caused) the increase in services provided by the government.
The question asks how the editorial undermines the referenced causal argument; it does so by suggesting a different explanation for the link between decreasing volunteer groups and increasing government services. Correct answer choice (D) describes this approach: the editorialist provides an alternative explanation of the relationship between government services and volunteer group numbers.
Answer choice (A) is incorrect because the editorial does suggest causality—but in the opposite direction. Answer choice (B) is a bit tricky, perhaps, but incorrect, because there is no counterexample provided—the editorialist simply suggests a different reason for the correlation.
Answer choices (C) and (E) both use inappropriately strong language (“proving”), considering the wording used for the conclusion in the editorial: “…But this may not be true.” The author questions a general belief and suggests an alternative explanation, but does not prove either of the assertions described by incorrect answer choices (C) and (E), respectively.
