PrepTest 122, Section 1, Question 11
In the recent election, a country's voters overwhelmingly(65 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(8 more words not shown)
- AThroughout their respective(19 more words not shown)
- BVoters realized that(8 more words not shown)
- CThe concern of(13 more words not shown)
- DOffering effective strategies(22 more words not shown)
- EIn every respect(14 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Why choose Adler when Burke seems to have so much going for him? Voters knew Burke had better strategies for most problems, and his record showed competence and commitment. Maybe voters had another priority. Better plans on many issues don't guarantee that those are the issues people care about most.
Then we get the environmental contrast. Burke's policy fit the interests of a dangerous polluter, while Adler proposed strict regulation. That gives us a plausible explanation for the voters' choice: environmental concerns mattered enough to count against Burke despite his other advantages.
What we’re looking for
We're asked what is most strongly supported. I'd look for a claim that the environment played an important part in this result. We don't need to say it was everyone's only concern, and we shouldn't turn the few comparisons we're given into a complete assessment of both candidates' careers.
Working the answers
- A
We know the candidates' policies in this election. We don't know their positions throughout their political careers. Adler might have changed positions recently, for example. A turns a current contrast into a historical claim the passage doesn't support.
- B
Concern about environmental policy doesn't establish this particular belief about rapidly depleted natural resources. Voters might be worried about pollution instead. The passage never tells us that resources are running out rapidly or that voters realize they are.
- CCorrect
The environmental difference helps explain an otherwise surprising choice. Burke had the stated advantages in strategies and public service, yet voters overwhelmingly chose Adler, whose highlighted advantage was strict environmental regulation. That supports the claim that environmental concern played an important role.
The evidence doesn't prove the motive of every voter or eliminate every other possible explanation. C doesn't require that. It gives a reasonable explanation grounded in the particular contrast the passage supplies.
- D
Both of these advantages belong to Burke: effective strategies and a strong record of government service. His losing the election doesn't tell us which of those two advantages matters more. We would need a comparison that separates them, rather than one candidate who has both.
- E
Burke had more effective strategies for most of the country's problems. That isn't the same as being better in every respect except environmental policy. Other aspects of performance could favor Adler, and the passage never evaluates all of them. E goes beyond the comparison we've been given.
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