Q17 - Council Member: The preservation of individual propert

[inesa909]

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could help explain why (E) is wrong. I understand why (D) is the correct answer but (E) fooled me because I thought that maybe a narrow definition of "property rights" would effectively resolve the the inconsistency in this problem.

Thank you in advance.

[maryadkins]

So the inconsistency that we're trying to explain is why, if the city council cares so much about property rights, property owners in the city have so little freedom.

(D) explains this: limiting the freedoms in fact serves property rights.

(E) is tempting, agreed. But it doesn't explain why the zoning laws SERVE property rights. It just tells us that they limit them, which we already know. We cannot infer that "overly extensive" means "not infringing on others property rights." Maybe overly extensive just means not hurting wildlife.

(A) is irrelevant.
(B) is, too.
(C) contradicts the paragraph.

[Cavetisy]

I was actually torn between B and D, and ended up picking D. However, I am not sure why B is irrelevant. Is it because "property taxes" and "property rights" are mutually exclusive concepts? This is in turn leaves the paradox unanswered, correct?

I'm wondering what to take from this, and it seems I should tighten up on language when 1) their is two contenders left and 2) later in the section??

Thanks!

[maryadkins]

"Property taxes" are not discussed at all and you don't want to assume a relationship between those and property rights. They aren't mutually exclusive, but they also aren't the same thing.

As to the lesson to take from this, indeed, you're onto it...Be very careful about language shifts! They are killer!

[Cavetisy]

HAHA Thanks