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26 Dec 2024, 03:49
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Conclusion: the rate of software updates among small businesses must have increased significantly over the decade.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
(A) Most of the IT support calls related to software issues occurred during business hours when the volume of software use was highest.
New info but irrelevant to the question
(B) The affordable update subscriptions were offered equally to all business sectors, including both small and large companies.
New info but irrelevant to the question
(C) IT support companies noted that calls about software integration issues were more frequent during major software release cycles.
This may explain a bit about the call increase but doesn't seriously weaken the argument
(D) Throughout the 2010s, regulatory requirements for data security in software were more strictly enforced than policies on software update compliance.
Out of scope
(E) The number of small businesses in the region increased significantly during the 2010s.
This is the right answer. As the number of the small business increased significantly, it would be also the major reason for the increase in calls. That means the rate of software updates must not have increased significantly.
Answer: E
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
(A) Most of the IT support calls related to software issues occurred during business hours when the volume of software use was highest.
New info but irrelevant to the question
(B) The affordable update subscriptions were offered equally to all business sectors, including both small and large companies.
New info but irrelevant to the question
(C) IT support companies noted that calls about software integration issues were more frequent during major software release cycles.
This may explain a bit about the call increase but doesn't seriously weaken the argument
(D) Throughout the 2010s, regulatory requirements for data security in software were more strictly enforced than policies on software update compliance.
Out of scope
(E) The number of small businesses in the region increased significantly during the 2010s.
This is the right answer. As the number of the small business increased significantly, it would be also the major reason for the increase in calls. That means the rate of software updates must not have increased significantly.
Answer: E
26 Dec 2024, 04:32
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Bunuel
(A) Most of the IT support calls related to software issues occurred during business hours when the volume of software use was highest.
This is irrelevant to the argument because it does not provide any information about whether the increase in IT support calls is related to the frequency of software updates. It simply describes when the calls occurred.
Eliminate (A).
(B) The affordable update subscriptions were offered equally to all business sectors, including both small and large companies.
This is irrelevant because the argument focuses specifically on small businesses. The fact that large companies also had access to the subscriptions does not weaken the conclusion about small businesses' software update rates.
Eliminate (B).
(C) IT support companies noted that calls about software integration issues were more frequent during major software release cycles.
This slightly weakens the argument because it suggests that the increase in IT support calls may be tied to software integration issues during specific release cycles, however, they do not necessarily reflect a decreased frequency of software updates across the decade since we're given that overall calls related to software update increased. However, we can still not ascertain the rate increase
Eliminate (C).
(D) Throughout the 2010s, regulatory requirements for data security in software were more strictly enforced than policies on software update compliance.
This is irrelevant because it focuses on regulatory enforcement rather than the rate of software updates. Even if regulations were stricter, this does not directly impact the argument about update frequency among small businesses.
Eliminate (D).
(E) The number of small businesses in the region increased significantly during the 2010s.
This weakens the argument because it introduces an alternative explanation for the increase in IT support calls: the growth in the number of small businesses. If there are more businesses overall, the volume of support calls could increase even if the rate of software updates per business has not changed.
Correct (E).
26 Dec 2024, 04:36
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(A) Most of the IT support calls related to software issues occurred during business hours when the volume of software use was highest.
This does not address whether the increase in IT support calls is directly tied to an increase in software updates. It simply explains when the calls occurred.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(B) The affordable update subscriptions were offered equally to all business sectors, including both small and large companies.
This does not affect the conclusion about small businesses specifically. The argument is focused on small businesses, so the inclusion of large companies in the offering is irrelevant.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(C) IT support companies noted that calls about software integration issues were more frequent during major software release cycles.
This weakens the argument slightly, as it suggests that the increase in IT support calls might be due to issues caused by major software releases, rather than an overall increase in the rate of updates among small businesses. However, it does not fully explain the increase in calls due to an alternate reason.
Weaker option. It could still indicate there is. anincreased software update in order to encounter these issues
(D) Throughout the 2010s, regulatory requirements for data security in software were more strictly enforced than policies on software update compliance.
This discusses regulatory requirements but does not directly challenge the connection between IT support calls and the rate of software updates.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(E) The number of small businesses in the region increased significantly during the 2010s.
This strongly weakens the argument. If the number of small businesses increased significantly, the rise in IT support calls could simply reflect the larger number of businesses, not an increase in the rate of software updates among individual businesses.
Best option.
Ans E
This does not address whether the increase in IT support calls is directly tied to an increase in software updates. It simply explains when the calls occurred.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(B) The affordable update subscriptions were offered equally to all business sectors, including both small and large companies.
This does not affect the conclusion about small businesses specifically. The argument is focused on small businesses, so the inclusion of large companies in the offering is irrelevant.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(C) IT support companies noted that calls about software integration issues were more frequent during major software release cycles.
This weakens the argument slightly, as it suggests that the increase in IT support calls might be due to issues caused by major software releases, rather than an overall increase in the rate of updates among small businesses. However, it does not fully explain the increase in calls due to an alternate reason.
Weaker option. It could still indicate there is. anincreased software update in order to encounter these issues
(D) Throughout the 2010s, regulatory requirements for data security in software were more strictly enforced than policies on software update compliance.
This discusses regulatory requirements but does not directly challenge the connection between IT support calls and the rate of software updates.
Irrelevant. Eliminate.
(E) The number of small businesses in the region increased significantly during the 2010s.
This strongly weakens the argument. If the number of small businesses increased significantly, the rise in IT support calls could simply reflect the larger number of businesses, not an increase in the rate of software updates among individual businesses.
Best option.
Ans E
