PrepTest 129, Section 2, Question 15
Carla: Professors at public universities should receive paid(60 more words not shown)
David's response to Carla is(9 more words not shown)
- Aignores the part(11 more words not shown)
- Btakes for granted(10 more words not shown)
- Cincorrectly takes Carla's(12 more words not shown)
- Dtakes for granted(15 more words not shown)
- Epresumes, without providing(7 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Paid time away from teaching costs money, so it is reasonable to ask what a university gets in return. Carla gives two answers: research advances knowledge, and it helps professors teach better by keeping them current in their fields.
We could still question whether a particular leave is worth its cost. Perhaps the gains are small, or another use of the money would produce more benefit. Even the teaching benefit might matter more for some courses than others. Those would be ways to engage with Carla's reasons.
David instead asks why resources should support the time away, even granting the beneficial effects. But the beneficial effects are Carla's answer to that question. He has not explained why those benefits fail to justify the expense.
What we’re looking for
Imagine asking, “Even though I have school tomorrow, why should I go to bed on time?” The fact acknowledged in the question may itself supply the reason. Similarly, David can dispute whether Carla's benefits are enough, but he cannot adequately respond by asking for a reason while ignoring the one she has supplied. That is the criticism I expect the flaw answer to identify.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Carla has already offered reasons for spending the resources: advancing knowledge and improving teaching. David acknowledges the possibility of those benefits but asks why the university should support leave without addressing them as an answer. He could challenge their value relative to the cost; his response does not do that.
- B
David's concern about professors taking time off from teaching does not establish that he thinks teaching is their only function. He could recognize research, advising, or other responsibilities while questioning this particular expenditure. B attributes a sweeping view he never states or needs.
- C
Neither speaker says all the funding comes from taxes. Resources can be limited regardless of whether they come from taxes, tuition, donations, or another source. Calling the universities public does not justify attributing this specific interpretation to David.
- D
David does not say research is the only possible reason for paid leave. There might also be parental leave or other arrangements. The discussion concerns whether paid research leave is justified, not an exhaustive list of all functions paid leave can serve.
- E
Research leave is not being proposed as a vacation. David could believe professors need vacations and still question paid time for research. His failure to address Carla's stated benefits does not depend on a belief that professors never need time to rest.
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