Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: A citizen argues that even though the mayor is right about the restoration being expensive, the city can't afford to skip it because the building's historical value is necessary for the government's reputation.

Conclusion: The city must restore city hall despite the high costs and tight budget.

Reasoning: The building is a vital link to the city's history, and preserving this history is essential for maintaining the public's respect for the government's authority.

Analysis: The citizen is engaging in a bit of rhetorical gymnastics here by shifting the definition of 'afford.' The mayor is talking about literal dollars and cents in a tight budget, while the citizen pivots to the social 'cost' of losing history. The flaw lies in the fact that the citizen never actually addresses the mayor's financial point; they simply assert that the social benefits outweigh the financial impossibility. When looking for the flaw, focus on how the citizen treats a metaphorical necessity as if it solves a literal lack of funds. It's a classic case of someone saying 'we can't afford not to' while the bank account is still very much empty.

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17.

Which one of the following most accurately characterizes a flaw in the concerned citizen's argument?

Correct Answer
B
“Afford” is used ambiguously: the mayor means financial affordability, while the citizen replies in terms of nonfinancial costs to civic respect. That equivocation makes it seem like the citizen addressed the budget concern when they did not.
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