- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8950
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Wed Apr 13, 2016 5:24 pm
#23005
Complete Question Explanation
StrengthenX. The correct answer choice is (E)
The argument's conclusion can be found in the first sentence of the stimulus: politicians deserve protection from a prying press. The rest is a series of reasons for why this might be so. The last sentence simply restates the author's main point.
The question stem is asking us to find the one answer choice that does NOT strengthen the argument. Therefore, any answer that gives additional support to the conclusion will be incorrect.
Answer choice (A): If the press is inaccurate when it reports on people's private lives, that is yet another reason to avoid doing so. This answer choice strengthens the argument and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (B): If such reporting tends to distract voters from the important issues in a campaign, the author's main point is reaffirmed. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): If the reporting in question consists of biased rumors circulated by opposing candidates, it is probably not a good idea to continue with this practice. This answer choice strengthens the argument and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice directly supports the premise that talented people are often dissuaded from pursuing a career in politics.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Not only does this answer choice fail to strengthen the argument in the stimulus, but it actually suggests a hidden benefit that stems from reporting on politicians' private lives. If their personality flaws often affect their performance on the job, it might be a good idea to continue with this practice.
StrengthenX. The correct answer choice is (E)
The argument's conclusion can be found in the first sentence of the stimulus: politicians deserve protection from a prying press. The rest is a series of reasons for why this might be so. The last sentence simply restates the author's main point.
The question stem is asking us to find the one answer choice that does NOT strengthen the argument. Therefore, any answer that gives additional support to the conclusion will be incorrect.
Answer choice (A): If the press is inaccurate when it reports on people's private lives, that is yet another reason to avoid doing so. This answer choice strengthens the argument and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (B): If such reporting tends to distract voters from the important issues in a campaign, the author's main point is reaffirmed. This answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (C): If the reporting in question consists of biased rumors circulated by opposing candidates, it is probably not a good idea to continue with this practice. This answer choice strengthens the argument and is therefore incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice directly supports the premise that talented people are often dissuaded from pursuing a career in politics.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. Not only does this answer choice fail to strengthen the argument in the stimulus, but it actually suggests a hidden benefit that stems from reporting on politicians' private lives. If their personality flaws often affect their performance on the job, it might be a good idea to continue with this practice.
