▶ Your Answer :According to the passage, the author claims
that the slow pace of life in small towns helps its residents to enjoy
healthier life. To support the argument, the author refers to the fact that
Businesses in Leeville, a small town, report fewer sick leave days taken by the
than do businesses in
nearby large town, Masonton. Also, the author points out that there are
fewer physicians in Leeville than in Masonton. Although it looks persuasive, it
is logically flawed in several critical aspects.
Firstly, the author assumes that workers in
Leeville businesses are Leeville residents. Also, the author assumes that fewer
days of sick leave always indicate that the workers suffer less frequently from
disease. However, these might not be necessarily true. Perhaps, a considerable
number of workers who work in Leeville are from other towns such as Masonton. If
it turns out to be true, the author’s conclusion that the residents who live in
Leeville are healthier than ther residents who live in the other towns. Even assuming that these workers are Leeville
residents, it does not indicate that the residents are healthier. It is
entirely possible that policies of the companies keep them from taking sick leave frequently. Also,
people usually use sick leave only when they are very sick. Therefore, the less
frequent sick leave means that the workers are less likely to suffer from
serious diseases, not that they are usually in good condition. Maybe the workers
in Leeville always
suffer from trifle colds.
Secondly, the author assumes that the
number of physicians in the town directly reflects the demand for physician in
the town. However, the author does not provide any proper evidence to support
the assumption. Perhaps, the physicians in Leeville are extremely busy since
many patients want to see them while the physicians in Masonton experience
financial hardship
since no patient visits them. If it turns out to be true, the argument loses
its persuasion seriously. To support the argument, the author should show that
the number of physicians in the town properly reflect the demand for physicians
in the town.
Thirdly, the author assumes that the higher
average age indicates that higher percentage of people in Leeville live longer.
However, it might not be necessarily true. If there are many young students in
Masonton due to a large number of universities and schools, it is possible that
average age of residents in Masonton is lower than that of residents in
Leeville even if a large number of the old live in Masonton. Even assuming that
Leeville residents are likely to live longer on average, there is no evidence
that these people have lived in Leeville for their whole lifetime. Perhaps, the
old in Leeville moved from other large cities like Masonton after retirement
and have lived in the town for only a few years. To bolster the argument, the
author should provide detailed demographic data for the small and large town,
and show that the healthy old people in the small town have lived in the town
for a long time.
In conclusion, from the criteria mentioned
above, the argument is based on unsubstantiated assumptions and thus
unconvincing. To strengthen it, the author should provide clear evidences that
eliminate all doubts and questions above. Then, it can be more logical and
persuasive. |