People's political behavior frequently does not match their rhetoric. Although many complain about government interv...
catieingersollOctober 2, 2019
All answer explanation
Can someone take me through all of the answer choices please. I understand why E is not the answer but if you could re-explain as a refresher.
Thank You
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We are told that there is a disconnect between people's political behavior and their rhetoric. People complain about the government interfering in their lives, but instead of reelecting inactive politicians, they elect politicians who will actively do their job- which is passing laws that affect people's lives. This leads us to the conclusion that "voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent."
This is an argument structure questions. We are asked what role the claim that people tend not to reelect inactive politicians plays in the overall argument.
Answer choice (A) states "it describes a phenomenon for which the argument's conclusion is offered as an explanation." So, (A) is suggesting that the claim "people do not reelect inactive politicians" is a phenomenon explained by the idea that "voters reelect politicians whose behaviors they resent." We see that this is backwards, as the fact that people don't reelect inactive politicians actually supports the larger idea that people elect behavior they resent. Therefore, (A) is incorrect.
Answer choice (B) states "it is a premise offered in support of the conclusion that voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent." We see this is true, as the refusal to reelect inactive politicians works with the stated role of a politician's job to ultimately support the idea that people elect behavior they resent. (B) correctly identifies the roles played in the argument and is therefore correct,
Answer choice (C) states "it is offered as an example of how a politician's activity consists largely in the passage of laws whose enforcement interferes with voters lives." The idea that inactive politicians are not reelected is a statement/claim, not an example. Moreover, it does not give detail as to what political activity is. Therefore, (C) is incorrect.
Answer choice (D) states "it is a generalization based on the claim that people complain about government intervention in their lives." However, the claim that people complain about government intervention is counter-intuitive to the idea that people do not reelect inactive politicians. Since it does not follow logically from the claim, it is not based on the claim. Therefore, (D) is incorrect.
Answer choice (E) states "it is cited as evidence that people's behavior never matches their political beliefs." The passage states that "people's political behavior FREQUENTLY does not match their rhetoric." The passage does not make the claim that behavior and rhetoric/beliefs "NEVER" match, so (E) goes beyond the message of the passage and is therefore incorrect.
After reading the passage, you may find it helpful to think "which part of this passage supports which other parts?" The supporting parts will serve as premises in the argument, while the thing they are ultimately supporting will be the conclusion. Identifying this before moving onto the answer choices should help to avoid added confusion (and time).
Does this make sense? Please let us know if you have additional questions!
