Critical Reasoning

International Policy Adviser: People over the age of 65 are underrepresented in the government of Country X. Because the government sets the country's policy priorities and passes new laws, the underrepresentation of people over the age of 65 results in a significant lack of consideration for issues important to this age group, such as pensions, age-related welfare, and employment discrimination; only an increase in the number of government officials will solve the problem.

Which of the following best describes an assumption implicit to the international policy adviser's argument?


(A) A significant increase in the size of Country X's government would be required in order to increase the representation of people over the age of 65 in the government.

(B) A significant increase in the representation of people over the age of 65 in Country X's government would result in an increase in the consideration for issues affecting people in this age group.

(C) A significant increase in funding toward educating the government about issues affecting people over age 65 would result in more serious consideration for issues affecting people in this age group.

(D) A significant increase in funding for adult education targeted to people over age 65 would result in an increase in the number of such people in Country X's government.

(E) A significant increase in the representation of people over the age of 65 in Country X's government would have to precede any increase in the number of high-ranking government officials who are over the age of 65.


The OA is B as most of u people probably find out. My question is, the last line of the argument is conclusion

"only an increase in the number of government officials will solve the problem."....

here author is talking about general increase not the specific increase that people over 65 will be increased. So on one side author is saying that a general increase in number is the only possible solution and in between the argument the author mention that the cause of problem is fewer people of over 65 age. So, if u relate the sol'n (last line) to the cause of the problem, don't u think that the possible assumption should be, that the increase in the number of government officials is required whose age is over 65. That's why Op A can be the correct answer?????

Hi,
Got your point. But, he has been talking only about the representation of people over the age of 65. So, I just think he implicitly meant the people to be the ones above 65. May be he just got carried away and forgot to explicitly mention their age group.

Cheers!

Atul,

you are right that the conclusion is "only an increase in the number of government officials will solve the problem"

There are 2 premises:
1) People over 65 underrepresented
2) Underrepresentation may lead to lack of consideration in new laws.
C) Increase in # of Gov't Officials can remove this lack of consideration.

B fits the bill as more people in the gov't representing 65 and over will increase consideration for them.

cyrwr1 wrote:Atul,

you are right that the conclusion is "only an increase in the number of government officials will solve the problem"

There are 2 premises:
1) People over 65 underrepresented
2) Underrepresentation may lead to lack of consideration in new laws.
C) Increase in # of Gov't Officials can remove this lack of consideration.

B fits the bill as more people in the gov't representing 65 and over will increase consideration for them.

Got your point....thanks..

Glad I could help.

We're in this to Beat the GMAT!!

moreover in option A "A significant increase in the size of Country X's government would be required in order to increase the representation of people over the age of 65 in the government." I feel that the option is wide open because it doesn't say that the representation increased will consist of people who are over the age of 65 as it mentions only "A significant increase in the size of Country X's government would be required".........please correct me if I am wrong.........