The mayoral race in Bensburg

Answer choices

1. A

   Strengthens, if anything0% picked this

   Lewis has extensive experience in national politics, but not in

   This potentially says something negative about Lewis (she's running for local mayoral office but doesn't have much experience in city politics). Saying something negative about Lewis would strengthen. In general, though, answers like this that are not comparative have unclear impact when we're judging a comparison. After all, for all we know Chu is also inexperienced in city politics.

   0%
2. B

   Strengthens, if anything1% picked this

   Prodevelopment mayoral candidates in Bensburg generally attract more financial backing for

   This would help the author's case that a prodevelopment candidate is probably going to win: 1. such a candidate has won the last six elections 2. such a candidate is better funded (which makes winning elections easier)

   1%
3. C

   Correct92% picked this

   Bensburg is facing serious new problems that most voters attribute

   Why this is right

   This shows us that Past ? Present, and it helps us to counterargue that Chu is not likely to win this election. Sure, in the past, voters have gone for the prodevelopment candidate, but it doesn't sound like the electorate is going to be as pro-development in this cycle. After all, there are serious new problems that most voters attribute to too much development. All those modifiers are important for giving this the punching strength we want. These problems didn't apply to past election cycles. And they are serious and the majority of voters think that development is to blame. So the candidacy of Lewis, who wants to place some limits on development, is starting to sound pretty appetizing to these local voters.

   Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   92%
4. D

   No Impact2% picked this

   Lewis once worked as an aide to a prodevelopment mayor

   This is too weak of a sentiment to move the needle. Just because she worked as an aide to a prodevelopment mayor doesn't change the fact that Lewis the candidate is running on a platform of limiting development.

   2%
5. E

   No Impact5% picked this

   Chu was not thought of as a prodevelopment politician before

   This is too weak of a sentiment to move the needle. Just because Chu wasn't previously thought of as prodevelopment doesn't change the fact that Chu the candidate is running on a platform of favoring development.

   5%