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Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have established strong bonds of mutual trust. Such bonds are formed and strengthened only by participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?
  • a)
    Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.
  • b)
    Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.
  • c)
    Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.
  • d)
    Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.
  • e)
    People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have ...
The columnist argues that a democratic society requires strong bonds of mutual trust among its citizens, which are formed and strengthened through participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. The columnist then claims that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has a corrosive effect on democracy.
To support this argument, the columnist must rely on certain assumptions. Let's examine each answer choice:
(A) Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.
  • This assumption is too extreme and unsupported by the argument. The columnist does not claim that relying on movies and electronic media makes it impossible to form strong bonds of mutual trust.
(B) Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.
  • This assumption is not necessary for the columnist's argument. The argument focuses on the impact of movies and electronic media on democracy as a whole, rather than the effectiveness of civic organizations in achieving their goals.
(C) Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.
  • This assumption is not relevant to the argument made by the columnist. The argument specifically discusses movies and electronic media, not print media.
(D) Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.
  • This assumption aligns with the columnist's argument. The claim that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media has a corrosive effect on democracy implies that it reduces people's participation in groups outside their families. This assumption supports the overall argument.
(E) People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.
  • This assumption is not relevant to the argument. The argument focuses on the impact of movies and electronic media on democracy, not the relationship between individuals and their families.
Therefore, the correct answer is (D) - relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families. This assumption supports the argument that widespread reliance on such media has a corrosive effect on democracy.
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Community Answer
Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have ...
Assumption Explanation:

Understanding the Argument:
The columnist argues that reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment weakens the bonds of mutual trust necessary for a democratic society. This implies that people who rely on these forms of entertainment are less likely to participate in civic organizations and other groups outside the family.

Assumption:

Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families:
This assumption is crucial for the columnist's argument to hold. If people who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are not less likely to participate in groups outside their families, then the argument falls apart. The assumption links the entertainment choices of individuals to their level of participation in civic organizations and other groups, which is essential for the overall argument.
Therefore, option D is the correct assumption on which the columnist's argument depends.
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Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have established strong bonds of mutual trust. Such bonds are formed and strengthened only by participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have established strong bonds of mutual trust. Such bonds are formed and strengthened only by participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have established strong bonds of mutual trust. Such bonds are formed and strengthened only by participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have established strong bonds of mutual trust. Such bonds are formed and strengthened only by participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. 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It is obvious then that widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the columnist’s argument depends?a)Anyone who relies on movies and electronic media for entertainment is unable to form a strong bond of mutual trust with a citizen.b)Civic organizations cannot usefully advance their goals by using electronic media.c)Newspapers and other forms of print media strengthen, rather than weaken, democratic institutions.d)Relying on movies and electronic media for entertainment generally makes people less likely to participate in groups outside their families.e)People who rely on movies and electronic media for entertainment are generally closer to their families than are those who do not.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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