Question 5

Communities more than they collect

This version succinctly conveys that the costs incurred by communities for extending services exceed the revenue collected from property taxes. It effectively emphasizes the imbalance between service costs and tax income.

A) (as it is now)

The original phrasing is somewhat convoluted and less direct. It states "costs more than it is collected by communities," which can confuse the reader about what "it" refers to, making the sentence less clear and less impactful.

B) more for communities to collect

This option introduces ambiguity by suggesting a requirement for communities to collect more, but it does not clarify the relationship between the costs of extending services and the actual tax revenue, thus failing to address the core issue presented in the sentence.

C) communities more than they collect

This option directly shifts the focus to the communities and their financial situation, clearly indicating that the costs of extending services surpass the amount they collect in property taxes. This provides a clearer understanding of the financial strain on the communities.

D) will be more than is collected by communities

While this option accurately reflects the intended meaning, the use of "will be" introduces a future tense that may not align with the immediate context of the costs being discussed. This makes it less effective than Option C, which maintains the present tense and immediacy of the issue.

Conclusion

Option C is the most effective choice as it clearly and directly communicates the financial imbalance between the costs of extending municipal services and the revenue from property taxes. The other options either create confusion, introduce unnecessary future tense, or fail to clarify the relationship between costs and collections effectively. Thus, Option C stands out as the best version for conveying the intended message.