Municipal legislator: The mayor proposes that the city accept a lighting company’s gift of several high-tech streetlights. Surely there would be no problem in accepting these despite some people’s fear that the company wants to influence the city’s decision regarding park lighting contracts. The only ulterior motive I can find is the company’s desire to have its products seen by mayors who will visit the city for an upcoming convention. In any case, favoritism in city contracts is prevented by our competitive-bidding procedure.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the municipal legislator’s argument?
(A) Some people’s fear that the company wants to influence the city’s decision regarding park lighting contracts is unfounded.
(B) The mayor’s proposal to accept the gift of streetlights should not be considered problematic.
(C) It is not appropriate that any company should have the unique opportunity to display its products to mayors attending the upcoming convention.
(D) The city’s competitive-bidding procedure prevents favoritism in the dispensing of city contracts.
(E) The lighting company’s desire to display its products to visiting mayors is the real motivation behind the suggested gift of streetlights.
A. The author did not claim this. While it’s possible the company may want to influence bidding, the author explicitly stated that competitive bidding prevents influence.
B. Correct. This answer is correct based on the analysis above. It accurately connects with the argument and supports the reasoning.
C. This answer contradicts the stimulus. The author explicitly says that allowing the gift isn’t harmful, so stating the opposite doesn’t align with the argument and is therefore incorrect.
D. This is a fact that supports the conclusion. The conclusion is that accepting the gift doesn’t pose any harm, and this fact backs up that reasoning by contributing to the overall justification.
E. This also supports the conclusion, as it emphasizes that since the gift’s motive isn’t aimed at influencing the city, it poses no harm in accepting it. This is a relevant fact that helps reinforce the argument.
