Critical Reasoning

Our lethargic city center will not be adequately revitalized simply by expanding residential space in the form of high-priced condominiums, but must be aided by incentives for investment in small businesses. The revenue generated by condominium sales may indeed be helpful, but our expectations for economic growth can not be one-sided, nor can the residents of these so called "luxury living spaces" be expected to subsist without service industries operating within a reasonable distance. The city council must be aggressive in drawing new restaurants, laundries, childcare facilities, and the like to the city center - or the revitalization project will certainly fail.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that incentives for small businesses must be part of the city's revitalization project?

1) A case study of a similarly-sized city that traces the positive
contributions of small businesses to urban renewal.
2) A petition from a citizens' group supporting incentives for small
business in the city center.
3) A 100% sale rate for the most expensive condominiums in city center
neighborhoods.
4) An article arguing that abundant, comfortable housing for young
professionals is necessary for urban renewal.
5) A professor at a local university argues that encouraging small
business in the city center will drain the resources available for
renewal.

Can someone please explain the answer along with reasoning.

Thanks.

IMO A....

this question is an "evaluate the argument" question in disguise.

i would choose 1 as the answer.

3,4, and 5 weaken the argument/conclusion. so choosing between 1 and 2, 1 is more convincing/forceful.

I also agree the answer should be (1) / (A).

We want to strengthen the premise that small businesses are important to the city's revitalization.

(1) clearly strengthens the passage

(2) strengthens the passage but not as much as (1)

(3) does not strengthen the passage given this statement: The revenue generated by condominium sales may indeed be helpful, but our expectations for economic growth can not be one-sided, nor can the residents of these so called "luxury living spaces" be expected to subsist without service industries operating within a reasonable distance.

(4) does not strengthen the argument that small businesses are important to revitalization

(5) weakens the passage

What is the OA?

Thanks guys. The OA is A.

Guys dont you think this question is quite unlike GMAT ??

I am pretty sure I have seen this one before... I think its from GMAT Club verbal tests...

The reasoning given is that A>B because A gives positive evidence of small businesses actually contributing to urban renewal... whereas b is just a petition

@Arora ---True

This question looks weird with the GMAT form, doesn't it?