Explanation:

IMO-B

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted. Incorrect as it strengthens the arguement.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem. Correct- As other suppliers will complete the requirement of flu.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available. Incorrect - Out of Scope as this data is not needed

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years. Irrelevant

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year. Strengthens the aurgument so Incorrect

Conclusion - Quality control on vaccines will result shortage of flu vaccines in upcoming season. This in turn, results in loss of productivity of workers.
Premise - A supplier failed to supply any flu vaccines because of the control and hence no vaccine in future.
Assumptions - The supplier's vaccine did not meet the quality check; The sick workers will fail to maintain the productivity; Other suppliers too would not provide the flu vaccines required.

The option that says opposite to any of the assumptions above can weaken the argument. We have to focus on the choice concerned to (a) availability of the vaccines Or (b) the impact of the shortage on the productivity.
Let's look at the choices.
A- severity of sickness does not tell if the worker's productivity will get impacted or not. Eliminate.
B - If other suppliers are able to provide the vaccine (without getting impacted by the control), there won't be a shortage. Hold on with this option.
C - Last year's won't have impact on future in this situation. Eliminate.
D - Quality and not the price is the controlling factor for the availability of the vaccine. If the vaccines don't qualify the test, they will not be avilable no matter what will be the price. Eliminate.
E - The duration of the flu season has nothing to do with the quality of the vaccine and their availability. Eliminate.

B wins.

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?


(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted. Irrelevant

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.. Others can supply the vaccine and workers will not fall sick so no loss in productivity.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.Irrelevant

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.Irrelevant

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.Irrelevant

B is the correct answer choice

I went for B through the POE but in hindsight, let's say there are 4 companies A, B, C, & D making 25% each

If A has a QC problem but B, C, D do not, there will still be a supply shortage.

GMATNinja what are your thoughts on this?

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Create shortage of flu vaccines ---- results in loss of productivity.

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.

Even if it is not severe it is still present and can lead to shortage of flu vaccines

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.

Yes, Other suppliers are not effected hence the number of vaccines might not reduce and in turn productivity might not. CORRECT

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.

We arent talking about last years shortage

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.

We arent concerned about whether price of flu vaccines is expected to fall

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.

Doesn't matter - No weakening of the conclusion

Applying the Cause -> Effect policy, we need an option that tells us that the productivity of the workers will not be affected, i.e. there will still be enough supplies of the vaccine.

Option A- Irrelevant

Option B - Correct. If the other suppliers have not been affected, people might as well buy the vaccine from them. This will, in turn, keep the productivity intact.

Option C/D/E- Irrelavant

Posted from my mobile device

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

This argument has a far fetched conclusion with multiple assumptions and incorrect causal relationship.

ONE supplier can't ship vaccines -> will cause a shortage of flu vaccine
shortage of flu vaccines -> will cause loss in productivity.

Since this is a weakening question, we just have to find an answer that exploits one of assumptions or premises.

(A) Severity is irrelevant information. How much ever severity is, we wont get the vaccine from that supplier this season.
(B) Correct, if some other supplier can match the shortage, then there wont be a any shortage of vaccine.
(C) Out of scope, the argument mentions only about vaccines for this season.
(D) Out of scope, the argument does not talk about future price pattern.
(E) This is kind of strengthening option, if the flu season lasts longer, we wont have enough vaccine. most of the weaken question, will have one strengthen answer choice.

B is the answer.

Assumptions

>Shortage of supply from the mentioned supplier will cause overall shortage vaccine supply (from other manufacturers as well)
> Productivity effects as employees call in sick
> Employees do not prefer to work if they get sick

We need something that negates the above assumptions. That would be our answer

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.
There will be a shortage, irrespective of the intensity of the quality control problem

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.
This weakens the 1st assumption mentioned above

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.
>Dosent weaken any of the mentioned assumptions

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.
>Dosent weaken any of the mentioned assumptions

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.
>Dosent weaken any of the mentioned assumptions

IMO B

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Question Type: Weaken the argument

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.
Wrong Does not matter, since that supplier will not be able to ship the vaccines as stated.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.
Correct Best option here, though it doesn’t explain if the other suppliers will be able to meet the differential demand.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.
Wrong Actually strengthens the argument, as it suggests that the problem will be more severe as a supplier won’t be able to ship his vaccines.

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.
Wrong Immaterial to the conversation.

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.
Wrong Sort of strengthens it, as more people are susceptible to fall sick, which means the demand might rise.


Thank you.
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?


(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.


B

You might have been tempted by choice A, which seems to weaken the argument by saying the quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as experts had predicted. However, the initial predictions of experts are outside the scope of the argument, because they don’t change the fact that this supplier will not be supplying any vaccines, regardless of how minor the problems might be. Similarly, what happened last year (choice C) or what will happen in the next 10 years (choice D) is also outside the scope of the argument; we want to know what will happen this year. Choice E seems to strengthen the argument since a longer flu season will presumably result in more people getting sick. The best answer is B, because if other suppliers have not been affected by quality control problems, then the overall shortage may be less severe.
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Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?


(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.
Slightly weaken the argument, since shortage of flu vaccines to some extent shall lead to more sickness rates vis-a-vis the normal circumstances-- in turn leading to loss of productivity. Let's hold on to this one unless be get a better choice.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.
Hits the nail on the head!!..Since other suppliers are replete with correct quality vaccines, they will provide the desired number of vaccines to cater for prevention of flu through vaccination,

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.
Irrelevant , since the 'fortcoming' period is being discussed here.

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.
Irrelevant, as quality control is unrelated to the price of flu vaccines. No mention of such correlation in the current context.

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.
The statement mention a staement that cannot be evaluated on basis of the given premise as part of the stimulus

Amongst options A and B, Option (B) is a better choice since it weakens the argument more comprehensively.