Passage Summary: Because local news is thin and local government is secretive, people feel ignored by politicians and eventually stop trying to participate in local politics.

Reasoning: Lack of media coverage and secretive government operations isolate local politicians, making it less likely for citizen input to be effective, which ultimately leads to lower civic engagement.

Analysis: This stimulus sets up a causal chain where external factors, such as media and secrecy, lead to a psychological and behavioral result. We are looking for a statement that is highly likely based on these links. Focus on how the lack of transparency or media attention directly undermines the effectiveness and frequency of resident involvement. The correct answer should be a logical extension of the idea that isolation leads to a breakdown in the democratic process.