Question 16

[quadalpha]

The increase in automobile users is used as a generic example of something that increases with population. In no way does the passage suggest a causative link between that and delinquency.

[jellywing_2058]

Perhaps the passage does not imply a direct link between juvenile delinquency and the increase of automobile users, however options A, B and D are easily eliminated, leaving option C as the best option.

[quadalpha]

[dnpgr16513]

I agree with you quadalpha..

These increases do not necessarily indicate a greater intensity of criminal behavior.


I was given the impression that these aren't directly related......

[jeanne7524]

This question requires identifying the probable cause of a particular result based on information presented in the passage. The causes given in the choices do not need to have been explicitly stated in the passage because this is not only a test of your understanding but of your ability to apply that understanding to a related data.

This particular knowledge can be drawn from the following:

"We must remember that the number of crimes increases with the population. But population growth also means growth in the number of marriages, households, automobile users, and so on. These increases do not necessarily indicate a greater intensity of criminal behavior." Indeed, it's established that the increases in the statistical data are not necessarily an indication of the intensity of the crimes. But it can also be inferred that more crimes that are automobile-related are now being reported .

Next, "Recent short-range increases in crime and delinquency may be offering a distorted picture of what has been happening over the years...Actually we should expect even more delinquency today because we now categorize so much more misbehavior as delinquency as compared with the earlier period. " So, the explanation that "it can be reasonably inferred from the passage that some crimes (i.e. stealing a bicycle) may have gone unreported in the past because the value was much less than other crimes (i.e. stealing a car) which are now: (a) more common (more users) and (b) would consistently be reported as a crime. Despite this, the frequency or intensity of "stealing" may have remained the same, yet the figures (reported) increased" is valid and sufficient.

Hope this sheds light.