Struthers College has built its reputation for academic excellence largely on significant contributions from wealthy alumni who are avid fans of the school's football team. Although the team has won more national championships over the years than any other team in its division, this year it did not even win the division title, and so Struthers College can expect to see a decline in alumni contributions next year.
The above argument relies on which of the following assumptions about Struthers College?
Show Hint
- The college's reputation for academic excellence depends on the performance of its football team.
- Contributions from alumni are needed for the college to produce a winning football team.
- Struthers alumni contributions depend to an extent on a winning record by the college's football team.
- The college's football team will continue its losing streak next year.
- As a group, the college's alumni will have at least as much discretionary money to give away next year as this year.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Argument.
The argument suggests that a decline in the football team's performance will lead to a decrease in alumni contributions. This implies that alumni contributions are related to the team's performance, specifically its record. The assumption is that alumni are more likely to contribute if the team is successful.
Step 2: Analysis of Options.
- (A) The college's reputation for academic excellence depends on the performance of its football team: Incorrect. The argument does not say that academic excellence itself depends on the football team's performance, only that alumni contributions are linked to the team's success.
- (B) Contributions from alumni are needed for the college to produce a winning football team: Incorrect. The argument focuses on alumni contributions decreasing due to poor performance, but it does not suggest that these contributions are necessary for the team's success.
- (C) Struthers alumni contributions depend to an extent on a winning record by the college's football team: Correct. This option directly addresses the assumption that alumni contributions are tied to the football team's performance, which is central to the argument.
- (D) The college's football team will continue its losing streak next year: Incorrect. The argument does not assume this, only that the team's performance this year has led to a decline in alumni contributions. It does not predict next year's performance.
- (E) As a group, the college's alumni will have at least as much discretionary money to give away next year as this year: Incorrect. The argument does not assume that the amount of money alumni have available will remain the same; it focuses on the link between contributions and team performance.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) Struthers alumni contributions depend to an extent on a winning record by the college's football team.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{(C) \, \text{Struthers alumni contributions depend to an extent on a winning record by the college's football team.}} \]
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