Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition

Question

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition characterized by an inability to focus on any topic for a prolonged period of time, and is especially common among children five to ten years old. A recent study has shown that 85 percent of seven-year-old children with ADD watch, on average, more than five hours of television a day. It is therefore very likely that Ed, age seven, has ADD, since he watches roughly six hours of television a day.

The argument above is flawed because it

A) cites as a direct causal mechanism a factor that may only be a partial cause of the condition in question.

B) fails to indicate the chances of having ADD among seven-year-old children who watch more than five hours of television a day

C) limits the description of the symptoms of ADD to an inability to focus for a prolonged period of time

D) fails to consider the possibility that Ed may be among the 15 percent of children who do not watch more than five hours of television a day

E) does not allow for other causes of ADD besides television watching

thingZero · Answer

i go with "A"

kripalkavi · Answer

One more for 'A'.

A) cites as a direct causal mechanism a factor that may only be a partial cause of the condition in question.
- Good. Keep. 

B) fails to indicate the chances of having ADD among seven-year-old children who watch more than five hours of television a day
- Indicating the chances would not make a differece to the argument

C) limits the description of the symptoms of ADD to an inability to focus for a prolonged period of time
- Out of scope

D) fails to consider the possibility that Ed may be among the 15 percent of children who do not watch more than five hours of television a day
- Wrong. Ed watches roughly 6 hrs of TV a day

E) does not allow for other causes of ADD besides television watching
- The argument need not discuss about other causes as the conclusion of the argument is 'excessive TV viewing (>5 hrs) is linked to ADD', not 'The causes of ADD are...'

remgeo · Answer

The passage only says that 85% children WITH ADD watch TV. And then concludes that a child has got ADD bcoz he watches TV. This is wrong. 

If the passage had said that 85% of children who watch TV have ADD. And then said that a child watches TV, so he has got ADD - then it would have been right. 

This shows that the passage fails to indicate the chances of having ADD among children who watch TV. This is what is pointed out in B. 

Hence B.

sm176811 · Answer

I agree its B!

Matador · Answer

OA is B.

The distinguishing feature here is that of  scope shift .

The study discusses only the television-watching habits of 7-yr olds  who have ADD . The author's conclusion is flawed because it makes a conclusion about a 7-yr old television watcher based on a study about 7-yr old television watchers  with ADD .

B points out this flaw by pointing out that the author must come up with evidence that pertains to Ed.

SunShine · Answer

Yes.. B

kripalkavi · Answer

Ah! Thank you for showing me the error of my ways, remgeo. Nice explanation! :-D

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition

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