Question

State colleges have lower tuitions than do private colleges because many of their operating costs are covered by federal and state funds. Which of the following inferences is best supported by the statement made above?

• A. Private colleges have higher operating costs than do state colleges.
• B. Many more people matriculate at state colleges than do at private colleges.
• C. Tuition fees and operating costs are directly related.
• D. the cost of attending state college is always more than the cost of attending private college.
• E. If private colleges are to lower their tuitions, they must receive outside support.

Hint:

When a passage presents a reason why one group has a certain characteristic, a common type of inference question asks you to apply that same reasoning to another group.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is an inference question. We need to find a conclusion that is logically supported by the premise given in the passage.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Premise: State colleges have lower tuition because outside funds cover many of their operating costs.
This sets up a causal relationship: Outside Funding \(\rightarrow\) Lower Tuition. The mechanism is that the funding covers operating costs, so the college doesn't have to charge as much in tuition to cover those costs. The inverse must also be true: No Outside Funding \(\rightarrow\) Higher Tuition (because tuition must cover the operating costs).
Let's evaluate the options based on this logic:

(A) The passage does not compare the total operating costs of state vs. private colleges. It's possible a state college has high costs, but tuition is low due to subsidies.
(B) The passage provides no information about enrollment numbers.
(C) This is strongly implied by the passage. The reason tuition is low is because it doesn't have to cover all the operating costs. This suggests tuition is the primary way colleges cover their operating costs (when there's no outside funding). This is a strong candidate.
(D) This contradicts the passage, which says state colleges have \textit{lower} tuitions.
(E) This applies the logic from the passage to private colleges. The passage implies that private colleges have higher tuitions because they lack the outside funding that state colleges receive. Therefore, for private colleges to lower their tuitions (like state colleges), they would need to get similar outside support to cover their operating costs. This is a very strong and direct inference.
Comparing (C) and (E): Option (C) states a general relationship. Option (E) applies the specific logic of the passage to a new but related case (private colleges). The argument's structure is "State colleges do X because of Y." The most direct inference is often "If another group (private colleges) wanted to do X, they would also need Y." Therefore, (E) is the best supported inference.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The passage establishes a causal link: government funding allows state colleges to charge lower tuition by covering operating costs. It can be inferred that any college without such funding (like private colleges) would need to find it in order to be able to lower their tuition.