The public in the United States has in the past been conditioned to support a substantial defense budget by the threat of confrontation with the Eastern bloc. Now that that threat is dissolving, along with the Eastern bloc itself, it is doubtful whether the public can be persuaded to support an adequate defense budget.
Which one of the following indicates a weakness in the position expressed above?
(A) It presupposes that public opinion can be manipulated indefinitely, without the public’s becoming aware of that manipulation.
(B) It refers to past and present events that do not have a causal connection with public support of the budget.
(C) It assumes as fact what it seeks to establish by reasoning.
(D) It fails to give any reason for the judgment it reaches.
(E) It hinges on the term “adequate,” the precise meaning of which requires reevaluation in the new context.

The public in the United States has in the past been conditioned to support a substantial defense budget by the threat of confrontation with the Eastern bloc. Now that that threat is dissolving, along with the Eastern bloc itself, it is doubtful whether the public can be persuaded to support an adequate defense budget.
Which one of the following indicates a weakness in the position expressed above?
(A) It presupposes that public opinion can be manipulated indefinitely, without the public’s becoming aware of that manipulation. it doesnt presuppose . it states " it is doubtful "
(B) It refers to past and present events that do not have a causal connection with public support of the budget. passage says "whether the public can be persuaded" that means that the statements still have relevence in present and future
(C) It assumes as fact what it seeks to establish by reasoning. it gives a fact and then expresses a concern based on the fact
(D) It fails to give any reason for the judgment it reaches. the first line is the reason for what he says in the second line
(E) It hinges on the term “adequate,” the precise meaning of which requires reevaluation in the new context. if you change the definition of the term adequate "adequate" as per current context, the whole basis of the argument is gone.


IMO E

IMO E

Fizzler,

Could you explain as to How does the meaning/definition of the term "Adequate" change?

Is there a difference b/w substantial & Adequate ?

Fizzler,

Could you explain as to How does the meaning/definition of the term "Adequate" change?

Is there a difference b/w substantial & Adequate ?

the paragraph states concerns that the public may not be willing to support the "adequate" budget. so, it assumes that the adequate budget will not change with the dissolving of threat. what if the govt decides to lower the budget and then asks the public to pay for it? it will still be an adequate budget althought the absolute amount will decrease...

substantial - is like "adequate".if a thing is substantial it is considerable or sizeable Ex: you have a substantial knowledge of ....
adequate - is like "sufficient"