After Receiving Numerous Complaints from Residents About Loud, Highly Amplified Music Played at Local Clubs

Question: After receiving numerous complaints from residents about loud, highly amplified music played at local clubs, Middletown is considering a law that would prohibit clubs located in residential areas from employing musical groups that consist of more than three people.

The likelihood that the law would be effective in reducing noise would be most seriously diminished if which of the following were true?

1. Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians.
2. In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas.
3. Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs.
4. Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians.
5. Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians.

Answer: E
Explanation: The test-takers intentionally provide complex sentences in the GMAT Critical Reasoning questions. It will be easier for the candidates to answer the GMAT CR questions after simplifying the language.

The statement states:
Hypothesis: Local clubs at Middletown is causing loud noise, so reducing the number of people in the club will reduce the noise.
Conclusion: If we prove that noise is independent of the number of people. The argument can be weakened.

The likelihood that the law would be effective in reducing noise would be most seriously diminished, so let us check the option to find out the correct answer:

1. Groups that consist of more than three musicians are usually more expensive for clubs to hire than are groups that consist of fewer than three musicians.
   -Option A states that no effect on noise. It does not break the conclusion that will reduce noise. Hence option A is incorrect.
2. In towns that have passed similar laws, many clubs in residential areas have relocated to nonresidential areas.
   -Option B supports the argument. Hence option B is incorrect.
3. Most of the complaints about the music have come from people who do not regularly attend the clubs.
   -Option C implies that it has no effect on noise so it does not weaken the statement. Hence option C is incorrect.
4. Much of the music popular at the local clubs can be played only by groups of at least four musicians.
   -Option D implies that it will not weaken since there is no opposition stated to the statement.
5. Amplified music played by fewer than three musicians generally is as loud as amplified music played by more than three musicians.
   -Option E states that it reduces our belief that the plan to prevent the employment of less than 3 musicians will work to reduce noise levels. Hence option E is the correct answer.

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