PrepTest 102, Section 2, Question 23
Politician: Nobody can deny that homelessness is a(55 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(8 more words not shown)
- AOnly if a(11 more words not shown)
- BOnly if a(11 more words not shown)
- CIf a measure(11 more words not shown)
- DIf a measure(11 more words not shown)
- EIf a measure(15 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Do we have to take a step just because solving a problem requires it?
The politician assumes we do. Homelessness is a problem, and the proposed chain is clear: solving it requires government-provided housing, and providing that housing requires higher taxes. If we accept those premises, higher taxes are one of the things needed to solve the problem.
But “needed to solve it” isn't yet “we should do it.” Someone could say, “I recognize the problem, but I'm not willing to raise taxes to address it.” That might be an uncaring response. It still shows the missing value judgment: the politician needs a reason we should take this required step rather than leave the problem unresolved.
I might also question whether private charity could help, or whether the government could move money from another program. Those would challenge the stated requirements. For this question, let's accept the requirements and focus on the recommendation they are supposed to justify.
And raising taxes isn't a promise that the problem disappears. The money could go elsewhere, or the plan could still fall short. A required step is not necessarily a complete solution.
What we’re looking for
We're asked for a principle supporting the politician's reasoning. We need a rule that takes us from a measure being required to solve a problem to the recommendation that we adopt it. That would supply the judgment the politician has left unstated.
Working the answers
- A
This restricts which measures we should adopt: they must be required to solve a problem. Higher taxes might meet that requirement, but A doesn't tell us to adopt every measure that meets it. We need permission to move from “this is required” to “we should do this.” A doesn't give us that move.
- B
This permits adoption only when a measure is enough to solve the problem. We don't know that raising taxes is enough; we know it is required. B also gives a restriction on adoption rather than a rule requiring adoption. Neither part supplies the link the politician needs.
- CCorrect
If a measure is required to solve a problem, adopt it. According to the premises, ending homelessness requires government housing, which in turn requires higher taxes. C makes that requirement a reason to raise taxes. We may disagree with such a broad principle in real life, but the question asks what supports this argument if the principle is accepted.
- D
This applies when a measure is sufficient—enough by itself—to solve the problem. The politician never establishes that higher taxes guarantee an end to homelessness. Collecting more money could be necessary while other things still have to happen. D would be useful for a different set of premises.
- E
This could justify the steps needed for a measure that is enough to solve a problem. But which measure here is established to be enough? Neither higher taxes nor government housing is said to guarantee the solution. The passage makes housing necessary and taxes necessary for it. E needs a sufficient solution to start its rule, and we haven't been given one.
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