GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  People of this country have been finding it d... Start Learning for Free
People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens' salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?
  • a)
    In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.
  • b)
    The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.
  • c)
    Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.
  • d)
    The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.
  • e)
    The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own...
Let's analyze each answer choice and see how it affects the argument:
(A) In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.
  • This statement suggests that the trend of increasing housing prices relative to salaries was not limited to the last two decades. If this is the case, it weakens the argument because it indicates that the government's actions in the last two decades may not be solely responsible for the decline in home ownership.
(B) The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.
  • This statement suggests that the increase in rental accommodation has contributed to the rising cost of owning a house. While it does not directly address the government's role, it provides an alternative explanation for the increase in housing prices, thereby weakening the argument.
(C) Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.
  • This statement is irrelevant to the argument. It discusses the home ownership of immigrants but does not address the issue of the declining home ownership rate among the working population. Therefore, it does not weaken the argument.
(D) The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.
  • This statement strengthens the argument because it indicates that the decline in home ownership has accelerated in the last decade. It suggests that whatever actions or lack thereof the government has taken in recent years, they have been insufficient to address the problem.
(E) The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.
  • This statement weakens the argument by providing an alternative explanation for the decline in home ownership. It suggests that the increase in jobs has not been met with a proportional increase in the number of houses, which could have contributed to the rising housing prices and the difficulty in purchasing homes.
Based on the analysis, answer choice (E) weakens the argument the most.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses.Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?a)In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too.b)The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house.c)Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses.d)The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last.e)The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev