Question

Which of the following, if true, best supports the author's contention that bans against short-term rentals would inhibit economic development?

• A. Many vacationers enjoy short-term rentals and could visit a town or city without them.
• B. All vacationers enjoy short-term rentals, but would substitute hotels if they were not available.
• C. The average vacationer is very flexible with respect to the types of housing that they will use when travling, which includes the use of short-term rentals.
• D. Vacationers who enjoy short-term rentals tend to spend more money in tourist destinations.
• E. Many vacationers exclusively use short-term rentals and would be unlikely to visit a town or city without them.

Hint:

In a "strengthen the argument" question, first identify the author's central claim and the reasoning behind it. Then, look for an answer choice that makes the reasoning more solid or provides a new piece of evidence that directly supports the conclusion.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a "strengthen the argument" question. We need to find a new piece of information that makes the author's conclusion more likely to be true. The author's specific contention is that bans inhibit economic development because "vacation-goers will simply choose alternative destinations."

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author's argument hinges on the premise that if short-term rentals are banned, a significant number of tourists will not visit that location, resulting in lost revenue. We need an option that strengthens this cause-and-effect link.
Let's evaluate the options:
- (A), (B), and (C) all weaken the author's argument. They suggest that vacationers are flexible and would still visit, substituting hotels or other accommodations. This means the economic impact of a ban would be minimal.
- (D) This option shows that short-term renters are economically valuable, which is helpful to the author's overall case. However, it doesn't directly support the specific claim that a ban would cause these valuable tourists to go elsewhere. They might be valuable, but they might also be willing to stay in a hotel.
- (E) This option provides the strongest possible support. If many vacationers use short-term rentals exclusively and would be "unlikely to visit" without them, then a ban would directly cause a loss of tourism and inhibit economic development. This directly reinforces the author's claim that vacationers will "simply choose alternative destinations."

Step 3: Final Answer:
Option (E) provides a direct reason why a ban on short-term rentals would lead to a loss of tourists, thereby inhibiting economic development. It most effectively strengthens the author's specific contention.