Confusing CR - Question 1

IMO A

P1: While Governor Verdant has been in office, the state's budget has increased by an average of 6 percent each year.
P2: While the previous governor was in office, the state's budget increased by an average of 11.5 percent each year.
C1: The austere budgets during Governor Verdant's term have caused the slowdown in the growth in state spending.

This passage compares the growth rates in the state's budget during Governor Verdant's term and the previous governor's term. The passage concludes that Governor Verdant's "austere budgets" is the reason for the slowdown in the growth in state spending. The term "austere budgets" implies that the slowdown is the result of the Governor making "cuts" to the budget.

We need to weaken this conclusion. In other words, we need to weaken the connection between Governor Verdant's austere budgets and the slowdown in the growth in state spending.

(A) "The rate of inflation in the state averaged 10 percent each year during the previous governor's term in office and 3 percent each year during Verdant's term." Correct. The inflation rate measures the increase in the price of goods and services. This answer gives an alternative explanation as to why Governor Verdant's budget is increasing at a slower rate than the previous governor. This answer implies that the reduction in state spending is caused by a slowdown in the inflation rate rather than the Governor"s "austere budgets".

In fact, if you do the math, this answer suggests that Verdant's budget, adjusted for inflation, is actually growing faster than the previous governor's budget.

(B) "Both federal and state income tax rates have been lowered considerably during Verdant's term in office." Incorrect. Tax rates are irrelevant. We need an answer that weakens the connection between Governor Verdant's austere budgets and the slowdown in the growth in state spending.

(C) "In each year of Verdant's term in office, the state's budget has shown some increase in spending over the previous year." Incorrect. The passage states that during Verdant's term the budget has increased by an average of 6 percent each year. This answer is consistent with the passage; it does not weaken the passage.

(D) "During Verdant's term in office, the state has either discontinued or begun to charge private citizens for numerous services that the state offered free to citizens during the previous governor's term." Incorrect. This answer supports the conclusion that Verdant's policies are responsible for the reduction in state spending. This is the opposite of what we want.

(E) "During the previous governor's term in office, the state introduced several so-called "austerity" budgets intended to reduce the growth in state spending." Incorrect. This answer also misses the point. We want to weaken the connection between this governor's "austere budgets" and the slowdown in government spending. We are not interested in what the previous governor did.

Thank you rkanthilal.... I was not able to understand how the inflation rate correlates with the spending level. With your explanation now it is clear.

No problem... You're welcome...