In Arumville, among those young children with elevated levels lead in their
blood, few leave in houses containing lead-based paint, but many leave in
areas where vehicular traffic is heavy. These children's elevated blood-lead
levels probably result from lead added to gas, since, although gasoline sold in and around Arumville has been lead-free since 1990, lead from vehicule exhaust
remains in the soil for many years.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A: Sale of lead-based paint for use in homes was banned in Arumville in 1977

B: Vehicle traffic in most residential areas of Arumville is heavier today than it was twenty years ago

C: Some lead in the soil comes from deteriorating lead-based paint on the exterior of buildings

D: In Arumville, children's blood-lead levels typically rise during the warm summer months when children frequently play outdoors but not in the winter when children spend more time indoors.

E: If improperly carried out, the removal of lead-based paint from older houses can significantly the risk that children living in such houses will ingest lead dust.

Someone please explain the CR logic employed in arriving at the answer: effect of lead
contamination is more from lead absorbed in soil than from the lead-painted house.
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KUDOS me if you feel my contribution has helped you.

Argument: Children elevated blood-lead level is due to lead from vehicule exhaust
remains in the soil for many years.

To strengthen this argument we have to prove the relation between children, blood-lead level and the soil.

D is the best answer which explains this relationship.

D. In Arumville, children's blood-lead levels typically rise during the warm summer months when children frequently play outdoors but not in the winter when children spend more time indoors.
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+1Kudos, if this helps

Ans D ?

Answer D

A: Sale of lead-based paint for use in homes was banned in Arumville in 1977
>> This does not eliminate the probability that a lot of people live in houses that were built and painted before that year.
B: Vehicle traffic in most residential areas of Arumville is heavier today than it was twenty years ago
>> Since lead was banned in fuel in 1990, whether traffic is heavier now or before then is irrelevant.
C: Some lead in the soil comes from deteriorating lead-based paint on the exterior of buildings
>> This does not relate the children to the lead.
D: In Arumville, children's blood-lead levels typically rise during the warm summer months when children frequently play outdoors but not in the winter when children spend more time indoors.
>> The only answer that provides a link between the children and how they might be in contact with lead.
E: If improperly carried out, the removal of lead-based paint from older houses can significantly the risk that children living in such houses will ingest lead dust.
>> There is no mention of any lead-based paint removal being initiated in that neighbourhood.

One more D.
Strengthen Statements:
1.Attack the conclusion
2.Find an answer that strengthens it.Strengthening answers provide proofs outside the premise.

1.Conclusion :"since, lead from vehicle exhaust remains in the soil for many years."
2.Details about lead from paints and vehicle exhaust are in the premise but the conclusion says that the remains in the soil is the cause.
3.So the answer that strengthens here which supports the "remains in the soil is the cause" is D.

IMO D....
Thank God, I am parched..after getting 3 question incorrect in straight, this one is finally an icebreaker...ufff
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