If the city council maintains spending at the same level as this year's, it can be expected to levy a sales tax of 2 percent next year. Thus, if the council levies a higher tax, it will be because the council is increasing its expenditure.
Which one of the following exhibits a pattern of reasoning most closely similar to that of the argument above?
(A) If house-building costs are not now rising, builders cannot be expected to increase the prices of houses. Thus, if they decrease the prices of houses, it will be because that action will enable them to sell a greater number of houses.
(B) If shops wish to reduce shoplifting, they should employ more store detectives. Thus, if shops do not, they will suffer reduced profits because of their loss from stolen goods.
(C) If the companies in the state do not increase their workers' wages this year, the prices they charge for their goods can be expected to be the same as they were last year. Thus, if the companies do increase prices, it will be because they have increased wages.
(D) If airlines wish to make profits this year that are similar to last year's, they should not increase their prices this year. Thus, if they charge more, they should be expected to improve their services.
(E) If newspaper publishers wish to publish good papers, they should employ good journalists. Thus, if they employ poor journalists, it will not be surprising if their circulation falls as a result.
Which one of the following exhibits a pattern of reasoning most closely similar to that of the argument above?
(A) If house-building costs are not now rising, builders cannot be expected to increase the prices of houses. Thus, if they decrease the prices of houses, it will be because that action will enable them to sell a greater number of houses.
(B) If shops wish to reduce shoplifting, they should employ more store detectives. Thus, if shops do not, they will suffer reduced profits because of their loss from stolen goods.
(C) If the companies in the state do not increase their workers' wages this year, the prices they charge for their goods can be expected to be the same as they were last year. Thus, if the companies do increase prices, it will be because they have increased wages.
(D) If airlines wish to make profits this year that are similar to last year's, they should not increase their prices this year. Thus, if they charge more, they should be expected to improve their services.
(E) If newspaper publishers wish to publish good papers, they should employ good journalists. Thus, if they employ poor journalists, it will not be surprising if their circulation falls as a result.
