3. As an experienced labor organizer and the former head of one of the nation's most powerful labor
unions, Grayson is an excellent choice to chair the new council on business-labor relations.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion above?
A. The new council must have the support of the nation's labor leaders if it is to succeed.
B. During his years as a labor leader, Grayson established a record of good relations with
business leaders.
C. An understanding of the needs and problems of labor is the only qualification necessary for
the job of chairing the new council.
D. Most of the other members of the new council will be representatives of business
management interests
Answers
Not trying to start any turf war, but I'd like to weigh in on precisely how you can avoid falling for a trap like B. If you argue that "there's nothing wrong with it", you're missing the point of strengthen/weaken questions. In these questions, it's entirely common for multiple answer choices to strengthen or weaken. It's your job to determine which does it the most. Let's talk through all five here and consider the effect they have on the conclusion:
(A) The new council must have the support of the nation’s labor leaders if it is to succeed.
Effect: No effect. We're trying to talk about Grayson here, not the council.
(B) During his years as a labor leader, Grayson established a record of good relations with business leaders.
Effect: Small strengthen. He has some good relations. This doesn't speak to his knowledge or experience on the business side of things (notice how it still says "during his years as a labor leader").
(C) The chair of the new council must be a person who can communicate directly with the leaders of the nation’s largest labor unions.
Effect: No effect. We know Grayson has experience, but we don't know if he can "communicate directly with the leaders of the nation's largest labor unions", so this doesn't strengthen.
(D) Most of the other members of the new council will be representatives of business management interests.
Effect: Tiny strengthen. You could argue that Grayson's lack of business knowledge will be made up for by the rest of the council...but that's a stretch.
(E) An understanding of the needs and problems of labor is the only qualification necessary for the job of chairing the new council.
Effect: Huge strengthen. Now we know that the knowledge Grayson has is ALL he needs to be good at his job.
Make sure, when you're practicing, to think deeply about how each answer choice relates to the conclusion. Even stretches (as with D) will help you really think through the question, and will seldom lead you to the wrong answer.
Hope that helps!