A particular phenomenon has been observed in the relationship between

Official Explanation

Conclusion: The average observer viewing two men, one wearing a business suit and the other wearing casual clothing, will generally estimate the man in the business suit to be five years older than the man wearing casual clothing.

Premise: A particular phenomenon has been observed in the relationship between age and attire. The more formally a person is dressed, the older the average observer will gauge him or her to be.

Assumption: The attire of the two men is the only factor that influences their perceived ages. If the two men were dressed similarly, they would be perceived to be of a similar age.

The question asks which choice would make the conclusion more properly drawn. If this conclusion is better drawn, then it is more valid, so this in a strengthen question. The passage notes the phenomenon that the more formally a person is dressed, the older the average observer will gauge him or her to be.

uses the analogy reasoning pattern. The language shifts form the premise about a person to the conclusion about two men, one wearing a business suit and the other wearing casual clothing. To make this shift, the argument assumes that the only difference between the two men is their attire. Because this is a strengthen question, the correct answer will provide a reason that supports this assumption. Now, evaluate the answer choices.

Choice A: No. This choice weakens the argument. If the age of the man wearing the business suit is greater, this provides a reason other than his attired for his older appearance.

Choice B: No. This choice weakens the argument. If an older man is more likely [to] wear a business suit, he may be perceived as older because of this actual age rather than because of his attire.

Choice C: Correct. If the two men are equal in their ages, then this supports the idea that the man wearing the business suit, who is more formally attired, appears older due to his clothing and not for another reason.

Choice D: No. Whether an average observer’s estimates of age are…accurate is out of scope. The argument concludes that an observer will estimate a man wearing a business suit to be five years older than a man wearing casual clothing. The passage does not address the accuracy of such estimates.

Choice E: No. Whether an average observer’s estimates of age are…accurate is out of scope. The argument concludes that an observer will estimate a man wearing a business suit to be five years older than a man wearing casual clothing. The passage does not address the accuracy of such estimates.

The correct answer is choice C.