RatneshS wrote:
goalsnr wrote:
According to a recent research study, more than 90% percent of graduates of private high schools in a certain county continue their education in college. By contrast, only 65% of graduates of public high schools subsequently pursue college education. Therefore, if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools.
Which of the following statements would most seriously weaken the argument above?
(A) Graduates of private schools typically score higher on standardized tests and other tests of academic achievement.
(B) While private schools are typically very expensive, attendance of public school is free for the residents of the county.
(C) In comparison with graduates of private schools, a substantially greater proportion of public school graduates receive need-based financial aid for their college education.
(D) In comparison with private schools, public schools provide more opportunities for student involvement in sports and other athletic activities, which almost always increase the likelihood of students’ acceptance to colleges.
(E) Since most public schools are located in rural areas of the county populated primarily by farmers, nearly 30% of students from public high schools choose to pursue farming occupations rather than apply to colleges.
Do not quite understand how E is correct.
Fact 1: 30% choose farming--y-- because they are based in rural area public school and choose farming
Fact 2: If they are sent to private school, they will pursue college
Fact1+ Fact2--- supports conclusion that why they should not be in public college(because public = farmers) and if sent to private= no farming(as private are not located in rural area)
I felt that E is strengthening. Expert help needed.
Prompt: According to a recent research study, more than 90% percent of graduates of private high schools in a certain county continue their education in college. By contrast, only 65% of graduates of public high schools subsequently pursue college education. Therefore, if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools.
Question: Which of the following statements would most seriously
weaken the argument above?
The said argument is:
if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools.Option A: Graduates of private schools typically score higher on standardized tests and other tests of academic achievement -->
this only strengthens the above argument as if they want their kids to attend college, they should send them to private schools since students from private schools excel in standardized tests and other tests.Option B: While private schools are typically very expensive, attendance of public school is free for the residents of the county --> argument is
irrelevant because it talks about how education is inexpensive (free) in public schools and therefore more students in the county will attend them
[ again, attending a public school doesn't guarantee anything + it doesn't strengthen the argument in question]Option C: In comparison with graduates of private schools, a substantially greater proportion of public school graduates receive need-based financial aid for their college education -->
more scholarships for public school graduates mean more graduates from public schools will be determined to get into college, but that's not happening according to the prompt and the option doesn't weaken the argument in question[/color]
Option D: In comparison with private schools, public schools provide more opportunities for student involvement in sports and other athletic activities, which almost always increase the likelihood of students’ acceptance to colleges --> yeah, more students from private schools get into colleges for various reasons, so what?
It only strengthens the argument (if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools) in question and doesn't weaken it, which is what the question has asked us to find out.
Option E: Since most public schools are located in rural areas of the county populated primarily by farmers, nearly 30% of students from public high schools choose to pursue farming occupations rather than apply to colleges -->
Of course, if it's a county and it has a public school that's inexpensive, most of the people (farmers, essentially) of that county would sent their kids there and once those kids graduate from school, they would be more inclined to takeover their parents occupation rather than opting to go for further studies, which is why the argument in question (if parents in the county wish to increase the likelihood that their children will attend college, they should send them to private rather than public schools)
is weak [original question is to find the option that weakens the argument, remember?]
Hence option E is the right answer
Hope this helps
If you're still confused, I kindly urge you to read logic guru's explanation too.