In the United States, adults who don't graduate high school earn on average 35% less than adults who do graduate high school. No other industrialized nation has such a severe earnings gap; adults without a HS diploma typically earn about 80 percent of the salaries earned by high school graduates in nations across Asia, Europe and elsewhere. These figures clearly indicate that American high schools are the world's best at teaching advanced skills to their students.

Each of the following statements, if true, weaken the author's claim EXCEPT:

A. Of all the industrialized nations, the United States has the lowest proportion of specialized tradesmen, people who often lack high school diplomas yet earn high salaries for their skills.
B. Due to recent global changes, in many newly industrialized nations advances in education precede advances in business infrastructure, resulting in a disparity between skilled employees and the jobs which would require these skills.
C. Unlike in the United States, in certain other industrialized nations it is possible for a student to attend a university without earning a high school diploma.
D. A survey of sixth graders around the world revealed that children in North America spend, on average, fewer hours per week studying than do their counterparts in Europe.
E. The unemployment rate for adults in the United States who didn't finish high school is significantly higher than the rate for their counterparts in most other industrialized nations.

I think it could be A

I agree with D.

[u]Conclusion: American high schools are the world's best at teaching advanced skills to their students.
Since this is a EXCEPT question, rephrase it: Each of the following statements, if true, does not weaken the author's claim: [/u]
A. Of all the industrialized nations, the United States has the lowest proportion of specialized tradesmen, people who often lack high school diplomas yet earn high salaries for their skills. [This Weakens the argument – Eliminate it]

B. Due to recent global changes, in many newly industrialized nations advances in education precede advances in business infrastructure, resulting in a disparity between skilled employees and the jobs which would require these skills. [The disparity between Jobs and required skills is outside the scope of the argument – Eliminate it]

C. Unlike in the United States, in certain other industrialized nations it is possible for a student to attend a university without earning a high school diploma. [Irrelevant to the argument – Eliminate it]

D. A survey of sixth graders around the world revealed that children in North America spend, on average, fewer hours per week studying than do their counterparts in Europe. [Strengthen the argument - Hold it]


E. The unemployment rate for adults in the United States who didn't finish high school is significantly higher than the rate for their counterparts in most other industrialized nations.
[Unemployment rate is outside the scope of the argument – Eliminate it]


Answer: D

I believe that B is completely out of scope and thus doesn't weaken the argument at all. the others could weaken in some way the argument, although they are not really exhaustive. is OA B?

Conclusion/Claim is:

Without HS diploma, Americans earn 80% of ( adults with HS diploma in Asia+Europe+elsewhere) and based on this fact, it claims that HS diploma of America is better than HS diploma of other nations.

So it's comparing the salaries of Non-HS diploma people and stating that HS diploma of America is better in teaching advanced skills.

The one which strengthens this claim is :

Either A or E.

Rest all, if true definitely Weaken the claim made by author.

Out of A and E,

A is suggesting that there are very few people who don't go to high school and yet earn high salaries. Which means that if they would go to HS they are going to earn much higher, indicating HS diploma standards are really high in US compared to other nations.

E also weaken because it indicates that people in other nations get the employment even without going to HS where as in US they don't without HS diploma. Which means that without HS diploma also the skill levels in other nations are stronger. So HS diploma of US is not "the best"

Thus answer should be "A".

"A"

D.

D. A survey of sixth graders around the world revealed that children in North America spend, on average, fewer hours per week studying than do their counterparts in Europe.

time spending for studying means nothing for the argument.
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whats the OA dude?
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FYI, OA is D.