CXD page 27 question 11

11 The percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 24 living with their parents increased from 48% in 1980 to 53% in 1986. It can be concluded that in 1986 it was harder for people in this age group to afford to live by themselves.

The conclusion drawn in the passage above depends on which of the following assumptions?

(A)   People in this age group who could not afford to live by themselves preferred living with people their own age to living with their parents.

(B)   There are people in this age group who, if they could have afforded to do so, would have chosen to live by themselves, rather than with their parents.

(C)   People in this age group who lived with their parents did not make any financial contribution toward hosing expenses.

(D)   The number of rental housing units suitable for single people dropped between 1980 and 1986.

(E)    There are people in this age group who although they lived with their parents at the time of survey, had previously lived alone.

The correct answer is B.

My question is why C and E are incorrect.

My reasoning is as following:

In C, it can be assumed that they don't make any finanical contribution toward housing expenses, because if they pay, that means they don't have any financial problems, which counteract the passage's conclusion.

In E, we can also assume that they previously lived alone, because if they never lived alone, how does it explain that the moved to live with their parents is because of financial problems?

thanks for your input!!

You need to ask yourself whether your choice has to be correct or nor.

C. Even if they make contibution, they could still have financial problems. For example: they will pay $400 to live with parents or $1000 to live alone. As you may see, another assumption of this argument is that living alone costs more than living with parents. So as long as the financial contribution is less than the living expenses for living alone, the conclusion holds.

E is out of scope, totally. I could see anywhere in the argument indicating that the increase is due to people who used to live along moving to live with the parents. Some people might never leave their parents because of financial issues.

thank you very much. . you cleared my confusions.