Policy Analyst

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 201
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:23 pm
Thanked: 7 times
Followed by:1 members

Policy Analyst

by ov25 » Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:14 am
Policy analyst: Increasing the size of a police force is only a stopgap method of crime prevention. It does not get at the root causes of crime. Therefore, city officials should not respond to rising crime rates by increasing the size of their city's police force.
The flawed reasoning in which one of the following arguments most closely resembles the flawed reasoning in the policy analyst's argument?
(A) Some people think that rules with higher standards than people can live up to, such as those enjoining total honesty, prevent some immoral behavior by giving people a guide to self-improvement. But such rules actually worsen behavior by make people cynical about rules. Thus, societies should not institute overly demanding rules.

(B) Swamps play an important role in allaying the harsh effects of floods because they absorb a great deal of water. Although dams prevent many floods, they worsen the effects of the greatest floods by drying up swamps. Thus dams should not be built.

(C) Although less effective in preventing theft than security guards, burglar alarm systems are more affordable to maintain. Because the greater loss from theft when alarms are used is outweighed by their lower cost, companies are advised always to use burglar alarm systems.

(D) Because taking this drug does not cure the disease for which it is prescribed, but only reduces the disease's most harmful effects, doctors should not continue to prescribe this drug.

(E) We will never fully understand what causes people to engage in criminal activity. Therefore, we should investigate other ways to improve society's ability to combat crime.

OA: D
Last edited by ov25 on Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1083
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:38 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:14 members

by gmat_perfect » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:21 am
Analogy:
s-1: X is only a temporary method to prevent crime.
S-2: X does not go to the root.
S-3: City official should not respond to rising crimes by increasing X.


A) Some people think that rules with higher standards than people can live up to, such as those enjoining total honesty, prevent some immoral behavior by giving people a guide to self-improvement. But such rules actually worsen behavior by make people cynical about rules. Thus, societies should not institute overly demanding rules.

(B) Swamps play an important role in allaying the harsh effects of floods because they absorb a great deal of water. Although dams prevent many floods, they worsen the effects of the greatest floods by drying up swamps. Thus dams should not be built.

(C) Although less effective in preventing theft than security guards, burglar alarm systems are more affordable to maintain. Because the greater loss from theft when alarms are used is outweighed by their lower cost, companies are advised always to use burglar alarm systems.


(D) Because taking this drug does not cure the disease for which it is prescribed, but only reduces the disease's most harmful effects, doctors should not continue to prescribe this drug.

(E) We will never fully understand what causes people to engage in criminal activity. Therefore, we should investigate other ways to improve society's ability to combat crime.

Only D matches with the analogy:

Taking drug is the temporary method to cure diseases. It does not not go to the root of the diseases. Doctors should not respond to the diseases by prescribing drug.


You cannot arrange other options in this way.

Answer is D.

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1083
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:38 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:14 members

by gmat_perfect » Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:23 am
Analogy:
s-1: X is only a temporary method to prevent crime.
S-2: X does not go to the root.
S-3: City official should not respond to rising crimes by increasing X.


A) Some people think that rules with higher standards than people can live up to, such as those enjoining total honesty, prevent some immoral behavior by giving people a guide to self-improvement. But such rules actually worsen behavior by make people cynical about rules. Thus, societies should not institute overly demanding rules.

(B) Swamps play an important role in allaying the harsh effects of floods because they absorb a great deal of water. Although dams prevent many floods, they worsen the effects of the greatest floods by drying up swamps. Thus dams should not be built.

(C) Although less effective in preventing theft than security guards, burglar alarm systems are more affordable to maintain. Because the greater loss from theft when alarms are used is outweighed by their lower cost, companies are advised always to use burglar alarm systems.


(D) Because taking this drug does not cure the disease for which it is prescribed, but only reduces the disease's most harmful effects, doctors should not continue to prescribe this drug.

(E) We will never fully understand what causes people to engage in criminal activity. Therefore, we should investigate other ways to improve society's ability to combat crime.

Only D matches with the analogy:

Taking drug is the temporary method to cure diseases. It does not not go to the root of the diseases. Doctors should not respond to the diseases by prescribing drug.


You cannot arrange other options in this way.

Answer is D.