PrepTest 145, Section 4, Question 10
Columnist: Some people argue that the government should(64 more words not shown)
The columnist's statements, if true,(9 more words not shown)
- ACommanding a branch(11 more words not shown)
- BPoliticians do an(13 more words not shown)
- CPoliticians are not(7 more words not shown)
- DBanks that are(8 more words not shown)
- EThe government should(9 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Owning a bank doesn't mean politicians have to run it themselves. The objection assumes that a government unable to manage financial institutions should therefore stay away from failing banks. The columnist responds by separating two jobs: running a bank day to day and choosing the senior managers who will do that work. A government could put qualified people in charge without its politicians personally possessing all the skills those people need.
The military comparison makes that distinction concrete. Most politicians haven't been military professionals, but they appoint senior military officials to positions with enormous responsibility. Lacking the appointee's professional background doesn't automatically make the act of appointing someone impossible or useless. The comparison isn't perfect: choosing bank managers and military leaders might present different challenges. Still, it gives us a reason to separate professional experience from the ability to select professionals.
What we’re looking for
We're asked which claim these statements give us a reason to reject. Look for the claim undermined by the distinction between choosing managers and personally doing their work.
Working the answers
- A
The passage compares levels of responsibility, not how much knowledge the jobs require. National defense being at least as great a responsibility doesn't settle whether commanding a military branch requires more knowledge than managing a bank. The columnist gives us no reason to reject that comparison of knowledge.
- B
This is compatible with the military example, rather than the position it attacks. The columnist points to politicians appointing military officials despite lacking military careers. We need the claim challenged by that comparison, not a claim about adequate appointments that would fit the response.
- C
The response can work even if politicians cannot manage a bank's daily operations. Its point is that they needn't do so: they select senior managers. Also, being told that politicians don't perform a job isn't proof that they are incapable of it. Either way, rejecting C isn't what the argument needs to accomplish.
- DCorrect
The columnist gives a reason to reject the claim that government-owned banks cannot be well managed. The government can appoint people to run them, just as politicians appoint military officials without personally being military professionals. The analogy doesn't guarantee excellent banking appointments. It does undermine the idea that politicians' lack of personal management expertise makes good management impossible.
- E
This concerns financially sound banks. The argument addresses a proposal to take over failing banks and answers one objection to that proposal. A reason government ownership might work in that situation doesn't settle whether it should take over a bank that is already financially sound.
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