单选题 The amount of electricity consumed in Millville on any day in August is directly proportional to peak humidity on that day. Since the average peak humidity this August was three points higher than the average peak humidity last August, it follows that more energy was consumed in Millville this August than last August.
Which one of the following arguments has a pattern of reasoning most similar to the one in the argument above?

A、 The amount of art supplies used in any of the Aesthetic Institute's 25 classes is directly proportional to the number of students in that class. Since in these classes the institute enrolled 20 percent more students overall last year than in the previous year, more art supplies were used in the institute's classes last year than in the previous year.
B、 The number of courses in painting offered by the Aesthetic Institute in any term is directly proportional to the number of students enrolled in the institute in that term. But the institute offers the same number of courses in sculpture each term. Hence, the institute usually offers more courses in painting than in sculpture.
C、 The number of new students enrolled at the Aesthetic Institute in any given year is directly proportional to the amount of advertising the institute has done in the previous year. Hence, if the institute seeks to increase its student body, it must increase the amount it spends on advertising.
D、 The fees paid by a student at the Aesthetic Institute are directly proportional to the number of classes in which that student enrolls. Since the number of students at the Aesthetic Institute is increasing, it follows that the institute is collecting a greater amount in fees paid by students than it used to.
E、 (E) The number of instructors employed by the Aesthetic Institute in any term is directly proportional to the number of classes offered in that term and also directly proportional to the number of students enrolled at the institute. Thus, the number of classes offered by the institute in any term is directly proportional to the number of students enrolled in that term.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 本题用的推理方法是：根据某一事物与另一事物构成比例推出当两件事物中的一件增加时，另一件也增加。在5个选项中，只有(A)和(C)用了这种推理方法。但是应注意本题的短文以及(A)选项都是基于某种事物的增加，对已经发生了的另一件事物的推测，并且都是由后者增加推出前者增加，而(C)则是对将来事件的推测，且从前者增加推出后者也增加。另一方面选项(C)在论证中又把增加广告开支看成了新生数量增加的必要条件，因此相比之下(A)是正确选项；(B)做了一个毫无根据的假设，把不变量当作最小量；(D)把班级的个数与学生人数混为一谈；(E)的逻辑结构明显与本题段落中论述的不符。