Critical Reasoning

The current administration and Congress have once again practiced bad public policy in failing to increase Pell grants or at least limit their reduction for next year's budget. Pell grants improve access to higher education for those who have historically been disadvantaged in our society by financial or other life circumstances, thereby helping recipients elevate themselves to the middle class. Without that access, the gap between the rich and poor in this country will continue to widen, increasingly straining the stability of our democracy.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion of this argument?
A-Total spending on programs targeted at improving access to higher education for disadvantaged students will increase in next year's federal budget.
B-The neediest candidates for Pell grants often lack information about their eligibility for such grants.
C-Congress recently authorized a bill that will increase after-school programs in urban communities.
D-On average, an individual Pell grant funds less than 15% of the full cost of attending a four-year college or university.
E-Federal spending
[spoiler]
why B is wrong[/spoiler]

Premise-1 :
Pell grants improve access to higher education for those who have historically been disadvantaged in our society by financial or other life circumstances, thereby helping recipients elevate themselves to the middle class.

Premise-2 :
Without that access, the gap between the rich and poor in this country will continue to widen, increasingly straining the stability of our democracy.

Conclusion :
The current administration and Congress have once again practiced bad public policy in failing to increase Pell grants or at least limit their reduction for next year's budget.

IMO : A
B is wrong because even if neediest candidates lack information about their eligibility grades,Pell grants are still helpful to other disadvantaged students.So it doesn't affect the conclusion much.
But if A is true that is if the administration has increased the total spending on programs targeted at improving access to higher education foe disadvantaged students then it definitely weakens the conclusion,which states that the administration is practicing bad policy.

Please post OA along with the source.

Sorry

OA is A

prac wrote:Sorry

OA is A

OA is A right?
I interpreted the same in my above post.
what's the source?

This is a classic example of how GMAT traps us...

we read...

The-Congress-practiced bad public policy-failed-Pell grant++OR-something++

"The current administration and Congress have once again practiced bad public policy in failing to increase Pell grants or at least limit their reduction for next year's budget. "

now this something positive becomes the most important thing which we are not able to counter in the answer choices...

reading quickly & completely is what we always required to do.

prachich1987 wrote:

prac wrote:Sorry

OA is A

OA is A right?
I interpreted the same in my above post.
what's the source?

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/the ... t4492.html