LR Problem Set #1 Q30

[smile22]

Hello,

I have a question about a problem in the LR Problem Set #1 packet. The question is #30 and discusses a politician's viewpoint on homelessness.

I incorrectly chose answer choice E, and felt that the phrase "homelessness is a serious problem" was a premise that the final sentence (the conclusion) depended upon. Why is C the correct answer?

[BethRibet]

Hi Smile,

Thanks for writing in.

In your query, you identify the final sentence as the conclusion. The second part of the first sentence, beginning with "further government spending" is actually the conclusion. The ensuing sentences support that conclusion, although the last sentence could be considered a "sub-conclusion" or secondary conclusion, rather than strictly a premise. However, it still supports the conclusion, which indicates that government spending on housing will not solve the problem. In addition, even if the last sentence were the conclusion, it would not, at least as written, depend on whether or not homelessness is "serious", as its only claim is about why people are homeless. Whether or not homelessness is serious, this argument could still function.

For answer choice C, given that the conclusion is that spending will not solve the problem, that can be true, whether or not the conclusion is correct. That is, homelessness can be serious and spending will solve it, or homelessness can be serious and spending will not solve it. It works either way, which is the crux of the assertion in C.

Hope this helps!

Beth

[smile22]

Thank you for the explanation. This was very helpful.