A reader claims: 'The councils closed libraries to protect social care.' What is the correct assessment? (Passage: Library closures)
Between 2012 and 2022, a fifth of the public libraries in one region closed, and opening hours were cut in many that remained. Council leaders point out that borrowing of printed books fell by a third over the same decade, and that money saved has protected social care. Campaigners respond that libraries offer free internet access, warm spaces and children's activities, none of which show up in book-loan figures. An independent review found that areas where libraries closed saw a larger fall in children's reading scores, but it could not show that the closures caused the difference.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Cannot tell
- Step 1: Distinguish the effect from the motive. Step 2. Leaders say the saving protected social care, which describes a result rather than a stated reason for closing. Answer: Cannot tell. Why not the others: A result is not necessarily the motive; the borrowing decline is a separate argument; campaigners' agreement is not mentioned.
Practise more Short passages and comprehension (set 1).
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