Manhattan 2nd ed 5lb Logic based reading q 19

[ramlahmerchant17]

I am completely baffled by this question. It seems to me that option D is the only one that directly weakens the conclusion although i get that acceptance does not mean that they will attend. However, option E makes an even more sweeping conclusion in which it assumes that students who do not take up farming will apply, get accepted and attend college.

I just don't get this one and would appreciate a more detailed explanation.

[joyoftheheart]

I'm a fellow student preparing for the test, but I think I can reply to this. My answer was "E".

"D" says that in public schools students have sports and it increases acceptance to colleges... but relative to what? Still it's only 65% of all admitted students that get to college. In contrast, 90% of students in private schools get to college, sports or no sports. So parents should get their kids to private schools, if they want them in college.

"E" says that public schools are populated with farmers' kids who don't care for college - that's why the percentage is low. So parents that want their kids go to college, can still send them to public schools without fear that their chances will be diminished by that 65% number - they want to go to college, while many other students simply do not.

Hope it makes sense.

[tommywallach]

Joy of the Heart's explanation is spot on.

D says that people who go to public school will have the option to engage in activities that give them a better shot at getting to college...except we already know that the private schools do a better job at getting students into college, so this adds nothing.

E explains why the percentage is so low from public schools--it's a voluntary thing. That means it might not be that private schools are actually better at getting kids into college, but simply that it selects people who are already planning to go to college.

-t