LR Problem Set #3, Question 242

[smile22]

Hello,

I have a question about question 242, which discusses a funding opponent's position towards the city providing funding for spaying and neutering of pets.

I was able to eliminate answers A, C, and E. I chose answer D. Why is answer D wrong? Why is answer B correct?

Thank you.

[BethRibet]

Hi Smile,

Thanks for the question. The conclusion to this argument states that there won't be a substantial decrease in the stray animal population in the city.

So strengthen answers should reinforce that point, and as noted in the question stem, we're looking for the exception, an answer choice which does not strengthen the argument.

D does strengthen the argument. D states that those who do not already spay or neuter are opposed to doing so. Given that, changing who pays for the procedure would likely have no impact on their practices. Since one of the premises already tells us that other owners do pay themselves, we would not expect that change in funding to result in a decrease in strays.

B does not strengthen the argument. B states that if the city paid for the procedure, pet owners would get the procedure sooner than they do now. If we imagine/infer that at least some animals may reproduce during the timeframe before they get spayed or neutered now, then moving up the date of the procedure might prevent those births, and therefore would potentially decrease the population of strays. This contradicts the conclusion (it weakens the argument), and therefore it is the exception we're looking for.

Let us know if more clarification is helpful!

Beth

[smile22]

Thank you!!