Critical Reasoning

The Baysville Chamber of Commerce recently met to discuss a proposal to beautify the Baysville area's freeways by relocating power lines, adding landscaping and removing billboards. At the meeting Mary Simms, who was representing an outdoor advertising company, declared, "Billboards are the basis of our business. If they are torn down, our ability to earn a living will be severely damaged." "I don't agree," said Jack Jordan, a local merchant, "The basis of our business is an attractive community. People who might shop in Baysville don't want to see ugly billboards on their way into town. Billboards are hurting our ability to earn a living."

Jack Jordan a remarks suggest that he is misinterpreting which one of the following words used by Mary Simms?

(A) billboards
(B) basis
(C) our
(D) ability
(E) damaged

OA: Later.