Journalist: In late 1994, the present government of the Republic of Bellam came into power. Each year since then, about thirty journalists have been imprisoned for printing articles that criticize the government. In 1994, under the old government, only six journalists were imprisoned for criticizing the government. So the old government was more tolerant of criticism by the press than the new one is. Politician: But in 1994 only six journalists criticized the government, and now journalists routinely do.
The politician challenges the journalist's argument by doing which of the following?
54. Journalist: In late 1994, the present government of the Republic of Bellam came into power. Each year since then, about thirty journalists have been imprisoned for printing articles that criticize the government. In 1994, under the old government, only six journalists were imprisoned for criticizing the government. So the old government was more tolerant of criticism by the press than the new one is. Politician: But in 1994 only six journalists criticized the government, and now journalists routinely do. The politician challenges the journalist’s argument by doing which of the following? (A) Presenting data that extend further into the past than the journalist’s data (B) Introducing evidence that undermines an assumption of the journalist’s argument (C) Questioning the accuracy of the evidence presented in support of the journalist’s conclusion (D) Pointing out that the argument illegitimately draws a general conclusion on the basis of a sample of only a few cases (E) Stating that the argument treats information about some members of a group as if it applied to all members of that group 答案:B