Question

Northfield is a model city in Westport County. Crime rates have dropped 28% in the last five years, and new business development has increased by 42% over the same period. There also has been significant growth in public services with the opening of our new Northfield Community Center and the current construction of Northfield Park. Unfortunately, Proposition S now threatens to undo all that Northfield has accomplished in recent years. Proposition S intends to fund public services throughout Westport County by taking 8.25% of all tax revenues away from city governments. Although most people believe that more public services are needed, Proposition S would only burden Northfield and other cities with strong local governments and business-friendly policies. These city governments would be required to pay for public services in areas where local politicians have failed to find a way to fund their own projects. Given the strength of Northfield’s economy, approximately $12.3 million dollars of tax revenue would be redirected toward county projects. Without this money in Northfield’s budget, many programs at our new community center will have to be cut. This would affect more than 40,000 citizens of Northfield, as well as 25,000 people who live outside our city and use the community center on a regular basis. The construction of Northfield Park, which also would be open to all county residents, would probably have to be put on hold. I am proud to join my fellow residents of Northfield in urging all citizens of Westport County to vote No on Proposition S in the upcoming election. What is good for Northfield is good for all of Westport County. Mr. Nelson Woo President of the Northfield City Council
Which sentence in the letter addresses the opposing viewpoint?

A.Without this money in Northfield’s budget, many programs at our new community center will have to be cut.

B.The construction of Northfield Park, which also would be open to all county residents, would probably have to be put on hold.

C.What is good for Northfield is good for all of Westport County.

D.Although most people believe that more public services are needed, Proposition S would only burden Northfield and other cities with strong local governments and business-friendly policies.

Answer 1

The correct answer would be D. Answer C neglects any opposing viewpoints, and is more of a closing sentence for the opposing argument generated in Answer D. Although the answers A and B throw Proposition S into a negative light, they do not themselves generate an opposing argument. Rather, they are just quick statements supporting the argument presented in answer D. D most sufficiently represents an opposing viewpoint as it acknowledges the other side of the argument, presents a statement that opposes this acknowledged argument, and follows with multiple supporting statements to strengthen the reasoning for opposing Proposition S. The passage continues to support this statement with: These city governments would be required to pay for public services in areas where local politicians have failed to find a way to fund their own projects. Approximately $12.3 million dollars of tax revenue would be redirected toward county projects. Many programs at our new community center will have to be cut. (Answer A) *This would affect more than 40,000 citizens of Northfield. The construction of Northfield Park would probably have to be put on hold. (Answer B) The passage closes with. What is good for Northfield is good for all of Westport County. (Answer C) As these are just supporting statements for the argument presented in Answer D, or closing the letter, they cannot be the main opposing viewpoint being addressed. Therefore, they would be incorrect.