GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A local government proposes to fund a new public park by reallocating funds from the city's street maintenance budget. Opponents argue that this will inevitably lead to a significant deterioration of road quality and increased traffic accidents. Which of the following, if true, would most effectively weaken the opponents' argument?
- ANearby cities with similar climates and traffic volumes spend significantly more on street maintenance.
- BA significant portion of the street maintenance budget is consistently underspent each year due to inefficient planning.
- CThe proposed park is designed to be a major tourist attraction, generating substantial revenue for the city.
- DA recent study shows that the city's current street maintenance budget is already insufficient to prevent deterioration.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. A significant portion of the street maintenance budget is consistently underspent each year due to inefficient planning.
If the street maintenance budget is consistently underspent, it suggests that the current allocation is more than what is effectively used. Therefore, reallocating a portion of it might not lead to the predicted negative consequences (deterioration and accidents) because the effectively utilized portion of the budget would remain adequate.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This suggests the city might already be under-investing, which would strengthen the opponents' argument that any cut would be detrimental.
- C. This focuses on the benefit of the park, not directly on whether the street maintenance will suffer. It's a separate consideration.
- D. This strengthens the opponents' argument by indicating that the budget is already inadequate, making reallocation even worse.
Weakening a Counter-Argument
To weaken a counter-argument means to introduce information that undermines the validity or impact of the opposing claim, making it less convincing.
- Focus on the core premise or conclusion of the counter-argument.
- Introduce new evidence that contradicts or provides an alternative explanation.
- Show that the predicted negative consequence is unlikely to occur or is less severe.
Memory trick: ANALYZE: Always Note Your Logic, And Zero in on Evidence.