Question 152·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Economist Lila Cheng argues that providing people with a guaranteed baseline income encourages entrepreneurship. She notes that in pilot programs where adults received a security payment of $1,000 per month, applications for business licenses rose by 22 percent. According to Cheng, the freedom from financial anxiety allows individuals to pursue business ideas they would otherwise deem too risky.
Text 2
Sociologist Diego Ramos acknowledges that financial security can play a role in entrepreneurial activity, but he cautions that money alone rarely propels people to start businesses. Ramos cites cross-national studies showing that regions with high levels of social trust and robust mentorship networks consistently outperform wealthier areas in start-up formation. He contends that without these cultural supports, most people will still avoid the uncertainties of entrepreneurship even if they receive extra income.
Based on the texts, how would Ramos (Text 2) most likely respond to Cheng’s (Text 1) claim that a guaranteed income leads to more entrepreneurship?
For cross-text connection questions, first jot a short, simple summary of each author’s main point in your own words, then decide whether the second author would mostly agree, mostly disagree, or partly agree with conditions added to the first. Pay close attention to contrast words like "but," "however," or "cautions," which signal limits on agreement. When you look at the choices, quickly eliminate any that are too extreme (e.g., saying money is the only factor or has no effect at all) or that introduce ideas not mentioned in either text, and choose the one that best captures both the shared ground and the disagreement in emphasis.
Hints
Focus on Ramos’s exact wording
Reread the middle of Text 2, especially the phrases "acknowledges that financial security can play a role" and "money alone rarely propels people to start businesses." What does that tell you about his attitude toward money?
Compare their levels of agreement
Ask yourself: Does Ramos completely reject Cheng’s idea, completely embrace it, or partly agree but add important conditions? Look for answer choices that show this kind of nuanced relationship.
Use what Ramos emphasizes most
Ramos talks about social trust and mentorship networks as key factors. Eliminate any choice that ignores these factors or that says money is the only thing that matters. Also be wary of any answer that suggests Ramos thinks money has no effect at all.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify Cheng’s main claim (Text 1)
Look at what Cheng says a guaranteed income does. She argues that giving people a baseline income (like $1,000 per month) encourages entrepreneurship. Her evidence is that business license applications increased by 22 percent in pilot programs, and she explains this by saying that freedom from financial anxiety lets people pursue riskier business ideas.
Understand Ramos’s overall position (Text 2)
Now focus on how Ramos describes the role of money. He acknowledges that financial security "can play a role" in entrepreneurial activity, so he does not say money is useless. But then he cautions that "money alone rarely propels people to start businesses" and instead emphasizes that social trust and mentorship networks are very important for higher start-up formation.
Infer how Ramos would respond to Cheng’s claim
Put the two views together. Cheng stresses the importance of financial security as a driver of entrepreneurship. Ramos would partially agree (since he says financial security can help), but he would push back on the idea that money by itself is the main or only driver. He would say that without strong cultural and social supports, most people will still avoid the risks of entrepreneurship, even if they get extra income.
Match this inference to the answer choices
Look for the option where Ramos accepts that extra income can help but rejects the idea that it is enough on its own, instead stressing the need for cultural and social supports like trust and mentorship. That description matches choice A: He would argue that additional income is not enough by itself and that cultural and social supports are equally—if not more—important for fostering entrepreneurship.