Question

\supporters of this new tax are simply out of touch with reality. theyre the same group of people whove never had to worry about making ends meet, sitting in their ivory towers making decisions that hurt hardworking citizens. theyre proposing this tax under the guise of helping the economy, but in reality, theyre just looking to burden the working class even more. they probably spend their days sipping champagne and have no idea what its like to struggle to pay bills or put food on the table. this tax is just another way for them to take more money from honest, everyday folks.\

1. what is the main argument against the proposed topic?

• it burdens the working class
• it doesnt help the economy
• it takes money from everyday folks
• it benefits the wealthy

Explanation:

Analyze the prompt text

The passage criticizes supporters of a "new tax," claiming they are out of touch, live in "ivory towers," and make decisions that "hurt hardworking citizens." It states that while they claim the tax is "helping the economy," in reality, "they're just looking to burden the working class even more" and that "This tax is just another way for them to take more money from honest, everyday folks."

Evaluate the question

The question asks: "What is the main argument against the proposed topic?" Here, the "proposed topic" refers to the "new tax" discussed in the passage.

Assess the options

Using Argument Analysis, we evaluate each choice against the text:

• It burdens the working class: The text explicitly states they are "looking to burden the working class even more." This is a key supporting point, but we must look for the overarching conclusion/main argument.
• It doesn't help the economy: The text mentions "helping the economy" is just a guise, but this is not the primary focus of the attack.
• It takes money from everyday folks: The final sentence summarizes the main point/argument of the passage: "This tax is just another way for them to take more money from honest, everyday folks." This encapsulates the ultimate effect and purpose of the tax according to the author.
• It benefits the wealthy: The text implies the supporters are wealthy ("sitting in their ivory towers," "sipping champagne"), but the main argument against the tax itself is what it does to everyday people (taking their money).

Therefore, the most direct summary of the main argument against the tax is that it takes money from everyday folks.

Answer:

• (A) It burdens the working class
• (B) It doesn't help the economy
• (C) It takes money from everyday folks (Correct answer)
• (D) It benefits the wealthy