GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A city planning committee proposes converting a downtown park into a commercial complex to generate tax revenue, arguing that the city desperately needs new funding for public services. A local advocacy group opposes this, stating that the park provides essential green space and recreational opportunities for residents. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the advocacy group's opposition?
- AThe projected tax revenue from the commercial complex would only cover a small fraction of the city's funding needs.
- BStudies have shown that access to green spaces significantly improves residents' mental and physical health.
- CA recent survey indicates that most city residents rarely use the downtown park for recreation.
- DThe city has several other underutilized green spaces that could be developed for commercial purposes.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Studies have shown that access to green spaces significantly improves residents' mental and physical health.
The advocacy group argues the park provides essential green space and recreational opportunities. If access to green spaces significantly improves health, this provides a powerful, quantifiable, and essential benefit of the park that strengthens the group's argument for its preservation, making its loss a more serious concern.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This weakens the *planning committee's* argument for the complex, but doesn't directly strengthen the *advocacy group's* argument about the *value of the park* itself.
- C. This would weaken the advocacy group's claim that the park provides essential recreational opportunities, as it suggests low usage.
- D. This suggests alternatives for commercial development, which is a good strategic point, but doesn't directly strengthen the argument about the *inherent value of this specific park* as much as option D.
Justifying a Position
To justify a position means to provide compelling reasons, evidence, or logical arguments that demonstrate the validity or importance of one's stance.
- Focuses on supporting one's own side of a debate.
- Can involve introducing new benefits or highlighting critical values.
- Aims to make one's argument more persuasive and defensible.
Memory trick: Justify: Show why your side is righteous and right.