THE CORRECT ANSWER IS A. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT CONGRESS HAS PRACT...

35. The correct answer is A.

The conclusion is that Congress has practiced bad public policy "in

failing to increase Pell grants or at least limit their reduction for next

year's budget." The basis for that claim is that Pell grants improve

access to higher education, which allows lower-income students to

improve their economic standing. We are asked to weaken this

claim.

Choice A is correct. If total spending on access to higher education

will increase, then Congress has addressed the issue that the author

complains about, albeit through means other than Pell grants.

Choice B is incorrect. Whether candidates for Pell grants are aware

of their eligibility is irrelevant to the claim about Congress.

Choice C is incorrect. After-school programs in urban communities

do not help low-income students afford higher education.

Choice D is incorrect. The amount of the Pell grants is irrelevant. It

matters only that they provide some help at all.

Choice E is incorrect. Increasing total spending on education does

not necessarily imply that low-income students will have better

access to higher education.