Pre-thinking:Conclusion:In order to save lives, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering requiring automobile manufacturers to install air bags of this design in all cars produced after 1998.
In other words, "requiring automobile manufacturers to install air bags of this design in all cars produced after 1998" will "save lives".
Premises: Traffic safety experts predict that the installation of newly designed air bags in all cars in the United States would reduce the average number of fatalities per traffic accident by 30 percent.
The question asks us to weaken the argument, hence we are looking for that answer option that will throw doubts on the saving of lives by this method. Let us analyze the answer options:
(A) Air bags of the new design are more given to being inadvertently triggered, an occurrence that can sometimes result in fatal traffic accidents.
Correct answer. This brings the possibility of increased fatalities due to the newly designed airbags, thus throwing question marks on whether lives will be saved.(B) The DOT is planning to require automobile manufacturers to produce these air bags according to very strict specifications.
This does not doubt the saving of lives. Eliminate.(C) After installing air bags in new cars, automobile manufacturers will experience an increase in sales.
This does not doubt the saving of lives. Eliminate.(D) The proposed air bag installation program will adversely affect the resale of cars manufactured prior to 1998.
This does not doubt the saving of lives. Eliminate.(E) As production costs increase, the profits of many domestic automobile dealers show a marked decrease.
This does not doubt the saving of lives. Eliminate.Hope this helps.
_________________
Crackverbal Prep Team
www.crackverbal.com