The stated goal of the government’s

Answer choices

1. A

   Too Speculative: Interest Level3% picked this

   Most taxpayers have little or no interest in the creation of works of

   Most taxpayers have little or no interest in the creation of works of true artistic excellence. This answer misses the heart of the argument. Taxpayer interest is irrelevant to whether government-funded art can be excellent. It's a red herring and does not address the logic connecting financial dependence and artistic quality.

   3%
2. B

   Irrelevant Comparison: Generous Funding2% picked this

   Government funding of the arts is more generous than other financial support

   Government funding of the arts is more generous than other financial support most artists receive. The generosity of funding does not factor into whether the art produced can be considered truly excellent. The argument concerns the dependence created by any external funding, not just government funding in particular.

   2%
3. C

   Too Broad: Agreement on Excellence8% picked this

   Distribution of government funds for the arts is based on a broad agreement as to

   Distribution of government funds for the arts is based on a broad agreement as to what constitutes artistic excellence. This does not address the crux of the argument. The issue isn't how government decides what deserves funding, but rather the impact of accepting funding on artistic independence.

   8%
4. D

   Backward Assumption2% picked this

   Once an artist has produced works of true artistic excellence, he or she will never

   Once an artist has produced works of true artistic excellence, he or she will never accept government funding. The directionality here is misleading. The argument isn't about what happens after excellence is achieved, but whether dependence on funding prevents excellence in the first place.

   2%
5. E

   Correct85% picked this

   A contemporary work of art that does not reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist cannot be a

   Why this is right

   A contemporary work of art that does not reflect the independent artistic conscience of the artist cannot be a work of true artistic excellence. This choice directly connects Senator Beton's concern about the lack of artistic independence with the inability to achieve true artistic excellence, supporting his conclusion.

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

   85%