Around the World in 80 Questions (Day 5): It has been observed that

Target Test Prep Official Explanation:

The conclusion in this case is that, to support technological advancement most efficiently, a country must prioritize education over defense.

The support provided for that conclusion is that it has been observed that countries that spend more on education than on defense tend to publish more research papers for every dollar spent on research than countries that spend more on defense than education.

The correct answer will weaken the support that evidence provides for the conclusion.

One issue that we can quickly notice is that the argument jumps from talking about the number of research papers published to support for “technological advancement.” It seems likely that the correct answer will be somehow related to that big gap in the argument.

(A) Many countries chose not to publish research papers on the scientific discoveries made by employees of their defense departments.

Correct Answer

This choice weakens the argument by attacking an assumption upon which the argument depends. The argument jumps from the fact that countries that spend more on education than on defense tend to publish more research papers for every dollar spent on research to its conclusion about supporting technological advancement.

Then, what this choice does is show that technological advancement and research papers may not be directly related. After all, if, as this choice says, many countries chose not to publish research papers on the scientific discoveries made by employees of their defense departments., then maybe technological advances can be made without research papers being written. In other words, this choice indicates that spending on defense may result in technological advances even though it doesn’t result in research papers.

Thus, this choice weakens the connection between publishing more research papers and efficiently supporting technological advancement, thus casting doubt on the conclusion.

(B) Many countries have seen their rates of technological development increase when they have increased their investments in research related to defense.

Notice that the author is not making the case that spending on defense doesn’t result in technological advancement. Rather, the point is that spending on education results in MORE efficient support of technological advancement. So, what this choice says doesn’t affect the strength of the argument.

(C) Some research papers are so theoretical that they don’t lead to any technological advancement for decades.

What this choice says doesn’t change the fact stated by the author that MORE research papers come from education spending than from defense spending. So, this choice doesn’t weaken the argument.

(D) A country cannot rely solely on its technological capabilities to defend itself against other nations.

Notice that the author is not saying that countries should not spend on defense. Rather, the point is one about most efficiently supporting technological development. Regardless of what a country should do with regard to defense, it could still be the case that, to support technological advancement most efficiently, a country must prioritize education over defense.

Countries may not be able to support technological advancement most efficiently. Maybe countries have to spend a lot on defense instead. Even if that is true, it could still remain the case that the most efficient way to support technological advancement is to spend more on education.

(E) Many papers published as a result of research related to defense have contributed to technological advancement.

Notice that the author is not making the case that spending on defense doesn’t result in technological advancement. Rather, the point is that spending on education results in MORE EFFICIENT support of technological advancement. So, what this choice says doesn’t affect the strength of the argument.

Answer: A