Critical Reasoning

University X has announced that its library will not be open during the summer. Students attending classes during the summer have protested, saying that the library has research materials that cannot be borrowed from any one public library in the area. The university administration has countered that all university library materials can be accessed online through computers that are provided to all students for free by the university.

Which of the following best describes a method of argument used by the university administration?

A. The administration counters a proposal with an alternative.
B. The administration incorrectly makes an assumption about student preferences.
C. The administration provides an explanation that it assumes will clarify its decision.
D. The administration defends its actions by criticizing the logic of its opponents.
E. The administration makes an unwarranted assumption about the motives of some of the students.


will provide answer after some response

IMO D

Here is my reasoning.
If library is closed Students won't be able to access the information for their research; this information won't be available in any public library.
University Administration countered their argument by saying that they have the access to that information through computers, which is provided by university for free.

A - administration does provide any alternative.(keeping this option)
B - yes they does make this assumption but we aren't sure about its correctness.
C - they did provide the explanation but assumption part is bit far fetched over here.
D - That what my conclusion is.
E - Not true.

So between A and D, I feel D is better.

My Contenders are C and D.

But surely D proves stronger as the University counters logic by replying all material is available to all students.

+1 for D

In Option A, I don't think that a proposal is being made by the students.Therefore, the point of countering the proposal doesn't arise.

In Option C, there is no mention of the protest from the students to which the university is responding.The statement is straightforwardly mentioning that the university is providing an explanation as to why it has shut down its library.

IMO it should be A.

A. The administration counters a proposal with an alternative. Counters and Correctly suggests an alternative.
B. The administration incorrectly makes an assumption about student preferences. No assumptions made by admin.
C. The administration provides an explanation that it assumes will clarify its decision. No assumptions
D. The administration defends its actions by criticizing the logic of its opponents. Does NOT criticize student actions
E. The administration makes an unwarranted assumption about the motives of some of the students. No assumptions made.[/b]

One more for A+

My thoughts:
A) Students protested against the university decision and did not offer a PROPOSAL.
B) ASSUMPTIONS seems to be an understatement for the administration's decision.
C) "Explanation to clarify its decision" is not entirely wrong but the excerpt: "university administration has countered" demands more.
D) The administration actually "defends its action" of the closure of the library by "criticizing the logic of its opponents" that the study materials were not available anywhere other than the library. Correct.
E) Neither a clear assumption by administration nor any motives of students found.

Definitely A

srcc25anu wrote:IMO it should be A.

A. The administration counters a proposal with an alternative. Counters and Correctly suggests an alternative.
B. The administration incorrectly makes an assumption about student preferences. No assumptions made by admin.
C. The administration provides an explanation that it assumes will clarify its decision. No assumptions
D. The administration defends its actions by criticizing the logic of its opponents. Does NOT criticize student actions
E. The administration makes an unwarranted assumption about the motives of some of the students. No assumptions made.[/b]

I received a PM requesting that I comment.
The OA to this CR is A:
The administration counters a proposal with an alternative.
What proposal does the administration counter?
The students have registered a COMPLAINT -- that the library has research materials that cannot be borrowed from any one public library in the area -- but they have not issued a PROPOSAL.
Eliminate A.

I would ignore this CR.

Thanks a lot for your comment Mitch.
I had doubt about the quality of this CR as A has some basic issues.

I wish I wouldn't have wasted time on this.