A study of marital relationships in which one partner's sleeping and

The conclusion is that "mismatched sleeping and waking cycles can seriously jeopardize a marriage."

How does the author arrive at this conclusion?

• There was a study of marital relationships in which one partner's sleeping and waking cycles differ from those of the other partner.
• This study revealed that such couples (those with mismatched sleeping/waking cycles) share fewer activities with each other and have more violent arguments than do couples in a relationship in which both partners follow the same sleeping and waking patterns.

The author reasons that a mismatched sleeping/walking cycle can lead to fewer shared activities and more violent arguments, which in turn can jeopardize a marriage. We are looking for the answer choice that most seriously WEAKENS this argument:


The author does not claim that mismatched sleep cycles are the ONLY cause of arguments that can jeopardize a marriage. Partners with the same sleeping/waking patterns might also have serious arguments, but does having mismatched sleep cycles lead to an increase in violent arguments? Choice (A) doesn't suggest otherwise, so it does not weaken the argument. Eliminate (A).


The sleep cycles of BOTH partners could follow the same seasonal patterns. So regardless of whether (B) is true, couples may or may not follow the same sleeping and waking patterns.

Do mismatched sleeping/waking cycles jeopardize marriages? Seasonal variability doesn't strengthen or weaken the argument, so eliminate (B).


The argument is concerned with marital relationships in which one partner's sleeping and waking cycles differ from those of the other partner. We don't care about the effect of mismatched sleep cycles on the professional relationships of individuals in those marriages. We only care about how their MARRIAGES are affected. Eliminate (C).


The study shows that couples with mismatched sleeping/waking cycles share fewer activities with each other and have more violent arguments than do couples in a relationship in which both partners follow the same sleeping and waking patterns. But does that necessarily mean that mismatched sleep cycles CAUSE a decrease in shared activities or an increase in violent arguments?

What if the hostility CAUSES the mismatched sleeping/walking cycles? Choice (D) suggests that the mismatched sleep cycles are a product of the unhappiness and hostility, not the cause of the problems. In that case, instead of mismatched sleep cycles leading to marriage problems, marriage problems lead to mismatched sleep cycles.

This reversed cause and effect relationship weakens the idea that mismatched sleeping cycles can seriously jeopardize a marriage. (D) doesn't disprove the author's argument, but it certainly works against it. Keep (D).


Choice (E) is tempting. This suggests that couples with mismatched sleep cycles might be able to do something to remedy their problems. But will such couples 1) realize the source of their problems, 2) be willing to do something about it, and 3) be able to undo the damage that has already been done?

We have to consider the data cited in the passage, which links mismatched sleep cycles to more violent arguments and fewer shared activities. Even if it is possible to remedy the mismatched sleep cycles, the data implies greater marriage trouble for couples with mismatched sleep cycles.

Even though there is an easy way to modify sleeping/waking cycles, we still have a correlation between mismatched sleep cycles and marriage problems. Thus, it still seems reasonable to suggest that mismatched sleeping and waking cycles can seriously jeopardize a marriage.

Choice (E) doesn't seriously weaken the argument, and (D) is the best answer.