June 2007 PrepTest, Section 3, Question 19

By Brandon Beaver | Published October 29, 2024

Type: Strengthen

Difficulty:

Explanations

Well, that’s one form of governmental intrusion. There are plenty others, many of which are more intrusive. Even if taxation is the most intrusive, in combination, reducing the other forms of intrusion could lower the overall amount of governmental intrusion.
A good strengthener here would be something that negates my objection, something like, “Taxation is by far the largest source of governmental intrusion.” That doesn’t complete negate my second point, about other forms in combination, but it negates the first point and significantly weakens the force of my second point.
A
Yep, this will do it. This is an assumption of the argument. The second sentence says politicians promise to solve problems with governmental assistance. The third sentence explains the intrusive effects of assistance. By adding this premise, we can guarantee that the intrusive effects of assistance are manifested.
B
This weakens for the reason that A strengthens.
C
The types of problems aren’t really relevant, because the third sentence is a premise. In effect, we have to work from, “any governmental assistance leads to a form of governmental intrusion.”
D
We only care about what happens in democracies.
E
We don’t know what they believe ought to be done.

Passage

Editor: Many candidates say that if elected they will reduc

Question 19

Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen t