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- Mon May 02, 2016 10:44 am
#23731
Complete Question Explanation
Weaken. The correct answer choice is (B)
The argument is that since the tax reform laws will reduce the tax burden on low-income taxpayers by $100 to $300, the reform is clearly in the interest of low- income taxpayers.
The argument is not at all convincing, because it focuses on a possibly minor alteration in the taxation level without any concentration on other effects of the tax reform. For example, the tax reform could reduce benefits or programs that low-income taxpayers receive.
Since you are asked to weaken the conclusion, you should attack the flaw, which is that the argument is based on glaringly incomplete information.
Answer choice (A): If the new tax codes help people save money because they will not have to go to an accountant, that might help taxpayers, even a few low-income taxpayers. This choice does not weaken the conclusion, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. If the result of the reform is that rent increases for low-income taxpayers by $40 a month, there is a chance that low-income taxpayers will then incur a $480 expense, which their refund may not fully cover.
Answer choice (C): The voting behavior of a population does not demonstrate what its rational interest is, because a population can be ignorant or stupid. In any case, this choice could strengthen the argument by making the reform seem desirable to low-income taxpayer-voters, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (D): If the new reforms allow low-income taxpayers to deduct child-care expenses from their taxes, the new reforms might be even better than expected, so this choice strengthens the conclusion, and is incorrect.
Answer choice (E): If many low-income taxpayers are totally exempted from taxes because of the reforms, the reforms might more likely be in their interests, so this choice somewhat strengthens the conclusion and is incorrect.
Weaken. The correct answer choice is (B)
The argument is that since the tax reform laws will reduce the tax burden on low-income taxpayers by $100 to $300, the reform is clearly in the interest of low- income taxpayers.
The argument is not at all convincing, because it focuses on a possibly minor alteration in the taxation level without any concentration on other effects of the tax reform. For example, the tax reform could reduce benefits or programs that low-income taxpayers receive.
Since you are asked to weaken the conclusion, you should attack the flaw, which is that the argument is based on glaringly incomplete information.
Answer choice (A): If the new tax codes help people save money because they will not have to go to an accountant, that might help taxpayers, even a few low-income taxpayers. This choice does not weaken the conclusion, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): This is the correct answer choice. If the result of the reform is that rent increases for low-income taxpayers by $40 a month, there is a chance that low-income taxpayers will then incur a $480 expense, which their refund may not fully cover.
Answer choice (C): The voting behavior of a population does not demonstrate what its rational interest is, because a population can be ignorant or stupid. In any case, this choice could strengthen the argument by making the reform seem desirable to low-income taxpayer-voters, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (D): If the new reforms allow low-income taxpayers to deduct child-care expenses from their taxes, the new reforms might be even better than expected, so this choice strengthens the conclusion, and is incorrect.
Answer choice (E): If many low-income taxpayers are totally exempted from taxes because of the reforms, the reforms might more likely be in their interests, so this choice somewhat strengthens the conclusion and is incorrect.