A survey conducted by the Statistics Department of Duke University sho

Question

A survey conducted by the Statistics Department of Duke University shows that 7 out of 10 men in the United States between the ages of 25 and 34 prefer dark beers to light ones. A publication by Duke university, published two years after the survey was held, claims, on the basis of the aforementioned survey, that most men in the United States prefer dark beers to light ones.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

(A) Dark beers are generally higher in calories than light beers are.

(B) Another survey, conducted among a similar number of women, shows that 8 out of every 10 women prefer light beers to dark ones.

(C) The survey failed to check the connection between beer preference and the parents' place of birth, even though this may affect the tastes of their children.

(D) The question concerning men's preference of beer was one among 50 questions which the survey included.

(E) Male US citizens aged 35 and up prefer light beers to dark ones.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

A survey conducted by the Statistics Department of Duke University shows that 7 out of 10 men in the United States between the ages of 25 and 34 prefer dark beers to light ones. A publication by Duke university, published two years after the survey was held, claims, on the basis of the aforementioned survey, that most men in the United States prefer dark beers to light ones.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

(A) Dark beers are generally higher in calories than light beers are.

Incorrect.

To solve this Conclusion Weakening question, first break down the argument. The first sentence is a premise about findings ( survey ). The conclusion can be identified by as the publications'  claim  and the fact it is drawn  on the basis of the aforementioned survey :

Premise A: 7 out of every 10 men between 25 and 34 prefer dark beers to light beers
 =
Publication's claim: most men in the US prefer dark beers to light ones

Possible assumption: the survey group's preference is the same as the preference of most men in the US

Weakening Data: ?

You are required to find data that weakens the conclusion that most men in the US prefer dark beers to light ones. The correct answer could be one that exposes the argument's assumption.

The topic of calories is outside the scope of the argument. Therefore, any information about such a topic is irrelevant and cannot help us weaken the publication's claim.

(B) Another survey, conducted among a similar number of women, shows that 8 out of every 10 women prefer light beers to dark ones.

Incorrect.

Since the conclusion and the survey are about men, information about the drinking habits of women is irrelevant. Focus on the publication's claim and seek out a statement that can weaken the logic behind it.

(C) The survey failed to check the connection between beer preference and the parents' place of birth, even though this may affect the tastes of their children.

Incorrect.

The reasons for men's taste in beer is beyond the scope of the survey and is thus irrelevant. It does not matter why they prefer the dark beer. What matters is whether the publication's claim is valid. Seek out a statement that can weaken the logic behind this claim.

(D) The question concerning men's preference of beer was one among 50 questions which the survey included.

Incorrect.

This answer choice attempts to weaken the premise, instead of the conclusion. By stating there were many questions, it is implied that perhaps the survey was inaccurate. However, premises are a factual part of the argument which should be accepted as true. Look for an answer choice which undermines the conclusion instead.

(E) Male US citizens aged 35 and up prefer light beers to dark ones.

The main flaw in this conclusion is that "men aged 25-34 in the United States" does not equal "most men in the United States". This is especially true when we consider that it's only 7 out of every 10 men in that group.

If male US citizens over 35 - a group much larger than men between 25 to 34 - prefer light beers, the conclusion is seriously weakened.

ManyataM · Answer

IMO the answer is option E because the argument says that most men and it did not mention the age and E says men above 35 prefer light ones.. So under most men category 35+ do not agree

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sidvarma · Answer

what is the OA?

I believe it is E.

# of men between 25 and 35 will be fewer than # of men above 35 and if statement E is correct, it will undermine the conclusion that most men prefer dark beers. Rest of the options seem irrelevant to the argument (calories, women, parents choice and # of survey questions etc.)

minalgambhir · Answer

CONCLUSION - > 50% of men in US prefer dark to light beer

GIVEN -

1) Survey says that 7/10 men in US of 25 to 34 years of age prefer dark beer
2) Publication of Duke University was done after 2 years of the survey

WEAKNER - What new information would reduce the belief in the conclusion?

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) Calories not talked about in the passage
B) Argument talks only about men not women
C) Irrelevant to the conclusion
D) Doesn't affect the conclusion
E) CORRECT - As above 35 years men preferred light beer

winterschool · Answer

A survey conducted by the Statistics Department of Duke University shows that 7 out of 10 men in the United States between the ages of 25 and 34 prefer dark beers to light ones. A publication by Duke university, published two years after the survey was held, claims, on the basis of the aforementioned survey, that most men in the United States prefer dark beers to light ones.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the publication's claim?

(A) Dark beers are generally higher in calories than light beers are.  Incorrect

new info and irrelevant to argument

(B) Another survey, conducted among a similar number of women, shows that 8 out of every 10 women prefer light beers to dark ones.  Incorrect

women statistics are irrelevant

(C) The survey failed to check the connection between beer preference and the parents' place of birth, even though this may affect the tastes of their children.  Irrelevant

(D) The question concerning men's preference of beer was one among 50 questions which the survey included.  Incorrect

new info, but cant weakens argument

(E)  Male US citizens aged 35 and up prefer light beers to dark ones.   Correct

if citizens>35 is 30% of total population, we cant say between 24 to 34 represent whole country; within 70% if 30% of total population is <24 than can say 24 to 34 represent only 40% of total population

ash720 · Answer

As per the conclusion of argument men prefer dark beer to the light beer. Choice that contains men prefer light beer over dark would undermine the argument. I believe choice Eis correct

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KathitKP · Answer

Since age group of 35+ is not mentioned in the survey and the publication refers to US males which includes all men. Hence E shall be the answer in my opinion

A survey conducted by the Statistics Department of Duke University sho

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