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chasing725
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 12:21
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Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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A. Does not weaken much. Aging more cheese could explain more incidents, but it does not directly challenge the argument.

B. Supports the argument ; can be eliminated.

C. Correct. If these facilities produce most of the world’s cheese, it makes sense they would have more contamination incidents. The difference may be due to higher production volume, not different practices.

D. Does not weaken. A longer aging process could actually be a factor causing more contamination.

E. Does not weaken. Increased capacity might explain more incidents but does not directly challenge the conclusion.

Option C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 12:23
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A----Volume of cheese gives us another alternative to the aging and handling practices---keep
B----Strengthens- drop
C----Strengthens -drop
D----Doesnt help us
E----Not relevant.

Hence A is the best answer
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 12:30
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Not very sure of answer, but looks like E.
Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 12:36
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It seems that the question is a little confusing. So here I will try and explain the question first -
85% of the total bacterial contamination incidents came from 14% of the facilities
It is given in the question that the remaining 86% (100-14%) facilities have the same ventilation and temperature control systems as the above 14% facilities
However, the aging and handling practices will be responsible for the contamination.

Question - which option Weakens the above argument

(A) - The 14% facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities- Partially weakens - It says that since greater volume of cheese came through these facilities, it will be the reason for contamination. Let's see the other options and decide
(B) - Regional food safety inspectors issued fr more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities - Incorrect - This strengthens the conclusion - hygience citations is same as handling practices.
(C) - 12% of the facilities accounted for 93% of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76% contamination incidents - This also weakens the conclusion - It clearly mentions the volume - it says that the 14% contaminated facilities processed huge volume of cheese and hence between Option A and C - i would now select Option C. I would also see the other options just to confirm
(D) The average duration of the cheese aging process across the 14% of the facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production - Incorrect - This option talks about the ageing duration and the conclusion also mentions " significant differences in aging" and hence this does not weaken the conclusion
(E) The 14% of facilities experienced a 100% increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year - Incorrect - Although it points towards the fact that they have increased capacity so their volume will be higher - but it might be the case that the capacity is left unutilised and idle. In such case it will not be the correct option.

Accordingly, correct answer is C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 12:46
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Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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A. Weakens a little, but it only says they aged more cheese. It does not explain why they had so many incidents. Keep for now.

B. Supports the argument because it shows these facilities may have worse hygiene practices. Eliminate.

C. If a small group of facilities produces most of the world’s cheese, it makes sense they would appear in more contamination incidents. The higher number of incidents may be because they handle much more cheese, not because their practices are different. This is better than A. Hence, we can now eliminate A, and keep C.

D. A longer aging process could actually increase contamination risk, hence doens't weaken. Eliminate D.

E. Increased production capacity does not directly explain the contamination difference. E is not correct.

Option C
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 13:00
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Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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Option A is correct: 14% of facilities with the most ... group of facilities.

why others are incorrect?

B : it basically strengthens the argument by providing a new evidence that the handling and hygiene practices at these locations are poor.
C : it talks about 12% facilities handling 93% cheese and out of these 76% are involved in contamination incidents. it nowhere adresses the 14% group in the argument...irrelavant
D : it again supports, higher risk of contamination unless paired with further assumption so even if it did do a longer aging process itself accounts as an aging practice...which supports!!
E : talking about 100% capacity growth, but no discussion about total share of global production volume compared to other 86% facilities...
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 13:01
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We need to find the option that weakens the argument.
The argument is that: Due to significant differences in "aging and handling practices" at those 14% facilities, the high-contamination incident occurred.

A. This will actually weaken the argument, because it simply claims that 14% facilities aged greater volume. Greater volume -> Greater chances of contamination. This can be the correct option. Let's keep it on hold and check the other options too.
B. This will actually strengthen the argument because it is also claiming that those high-contamination facilities are unhygienic. Thus, incorrect option.
C. This is also somewhat similar to option A, but it deviates by mentioning about 12% facilities in place of 14%.
D. Average duration has nothing to do with the contamination as per the given argument. Hence, incorrect option.
E. There is no relation between production capacity and contamination. Hence, incorrect option.

Thus, out of A and C, A is more closer to the actual argument and will weaken the argument most. Hence the answer should be A.
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 13:22
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option A since the facilties handled more volume of cheese , the no. of contamination incidents reported where also more.
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 16:04
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Answer is option C.

How?

A. This statement does make an argument that the 14 % facilities produce a lot more cheese than any other but does not say how much more. This is vague so not the correct choice.
B. This is irrelevant to the question asked. It is more like a future course of action taken after the contamination. Wrong choice.
C. This is our best answer as it clearly says ' how much more' something that A failed to do. We know through this statement that exactly what percentage of production is done, the volumes are significantly higher and hence the contamination levels are also higher. Not due to the differences in aging or handling as said in the conclusion. Right Answer.
D. This statement is actually strengthening the conclusion. Wrong.
E. This option is incorrect. It does not matter how much more was the production as compared to last year. It has no impact on the conclusion.
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 16:41
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Premise 1: 14% of facilities were involved in 85% of the incidents of contamination
Premise 2: All facilities use the same type of cave ventilation and temperature control systems. i.e. equipments are similar
Conclusion: Since equipments cannot explain the incidents of contamination. Aging and Handling process must explain this disparity

This is a typical A causes B statement. i.e. Difference in aging and handling process must explain the disparity in contamination

To weaken it, we should look at an option which provides evidence to support either one of the relationship
1. B caused A (Less likely given the argument)
2. C caused B (More likely given the argument)

Now let's eliminate the options:
Option A. It says 14% of the facilities aged more total cheese than any other comparable sized group of facilities. This means that volume of cheese caused contamination. (C caused B statement). Keep
Option B: Out of Scope, Hygiene citations are not relevant to the statement. Eliminate
Option C: The statement strengthens the argument. It says that volume of cheese did not cause the higher contamination rates within these facilities (93% of production and 76% contamination). Eliminate
Option D: The statement strengthens the argument. It says duration of "cheese aging process" is the reason for contamination, this is the same reason as the author's argument. Eliminate
Option E: Not relevant. It says total production capacity increased for these facilities. It does not mention any reason for higher contamination. Eliminate

From elimination we get the answer as Option A
Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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A Correct. If these facilities process much more cheese, they have many more opportunities for contamination incidents. Their higher number of incidents may simply reflect higher production volume not poorer aging or handling practices.

B This actually supports the conclusion that handling practices are responsible.

C This concerns a different group (12% not necessarily the same 14%) and it doesn't directly explain the statistics given and A is better.

D Longer aging might increase contamination opportunities but this still relates to the aging process itself.

E An increase from the previous year doesn't explain why they accounted for most incidents last year.

IMO A
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 17:35
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Choice A introduces a new fact which weakens the argument

Bunuel
In 85 percent of the bacterial contamination incidents recorded at artisan cheese aging facilities last year, one or another of a group consisting of only 14 percent of the world's artisan aging facilities was involved. Since the other 86 percent of facilities generally use the same types of cave ventilation and temperature-control systems as these high-contamination facilities, significant differences in aging and handling practices must have been responsible for the disparity.

Which of the following, if true about artisan cheese aging facilities last year, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The 14 percent of facilities with the most contamination incidents collectively aged a greater total volume of cheese than any other comparable-sized group of facilities.

(B) Regional food safety inspectors issued far more hygiene citations to the high-contamination facilities than to the other facilities last year.

(C) Twelve percent of the facilities accounted for 93 percent of all cheese aged globally last year, and those facilities were involved in 76 percent of the contamination incidents.

(D) The average duration of the cheese-aging process across the 14 percent of facilities was nearly double the global median for artisan cheese production.

(E) The 14 percent of facilities experienced a 100 percent increase in their total production capacity over the previous fiscal year.

 


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A Right answer. If these 14% aged a greater total volume of cheese they might have more incidents simply because they handle more cheese not because their practices are worse. This weakens the conclusion.

B More hygiene citations could actually support the idea that their practices are worse. It strengthens, not weakens.

C This doesn't directly address the 14% in question or give a reason other than practice differences.

D Longer aging could increase contamination risk but that still might be a practice difference. It doesn't necessarily weaken the argument that practices are the cause.

E Incidents were recorded last year. Increases over the previous fiscal year doesn't matter.

Answer A
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 18:13
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Total bact. incidents = 100x,
Total facilities = 100y
85x belong incidents belong to only 14y of the facilities, which means a specific group of facilities is driving most of the contaminations
Concl - Since vent and temp systems are similar, aging and handling practices must be dif between 86y and 14y facilities.

We need to find a weakener. A weakener could be an alternate explanation for why 14y facilities are responsible for majority of incidents.

A - just the volume of cheese being higher as compared to 'comparable-sized group of facilities' doesn't weaken the argument that the difference may be due different aging and handling practices ELIMINATE
B - we don't know how hygiene citation is related to bacterial contamination incidents. ELIMINATE
C - This highlights that 12Y of the facilities are handling majority of the production, so high production may be the reason rather than aging/handling practices. ANSWER
D - talks about duration of aging and arg mentions differences in aging practices, so this is kind of strengthening the arg, not weakening. ELIMINATE
E - production capacity increase is as compared to the facility's own production capacity previously. The capacity of 86y facilities could have been way higher than the initial capacity of the 14y facilities. This doesn't automatically highlight why aging and handling couldn't have been responsible for the disparity. ELIMINATE
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 19:04
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I hardly understand the stimulus properly. However, here is my thought process

Here, 14% of world's artisan cheese had 85% contamination. Other 86% uses cave ventilation and temperature-control systems.

So, the conclusion is aging and handling practices caused the disparity.

Therefore, we have to answer whether 14% produces more cheese.

Now, answer choice
(A) Bad comparison because we do not know how much more as the answer choice states greater total volume. Eliminate.
(B) Supporting the argument. If we provide more hygiene things to the contaminated facilities, it will not create any incident. Eliminate.
(C) It weakens the argument as the contamination rate here is lower, i.e., 76% compared to 93% production, which is world's 12% cheese alone. Answer
(D) Since the answer choice said it increases the production to double, there is always a chance to be contaminated. Supporting the argument. Eliminate.
(E) Irrelevant because the argument does not consider about the volume or capacity of production
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A The higher number of incidents may simply be because they processed more cheese, not because their handling practices were worse. Correct answer.

B This actually supports the conclusion. Poor hygiene is part of handling practices.

C This talks about a different group (12% instead of 14%). It is not a clear alternative explanation.

D Longer aging might increase the chance of contamination, but we don't know that it actually does. A is better.

E It does not say they actually produced more cheese last year or explain why they had more contamination incidents.

The answer is A
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 20:06
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A CORRECT. If a facility handles significantly more cheese, it faces a much higher risk. A higher number of contamination incidents would be expected simply due to the scale of production, not because their hygiene or handling practices are inferior.

B If inspectors issued more hygiene citations to these facilities, it actually strengthens the argument.

C This option introduces completely new percentages. It is irrelevant to the specific argument we need to weaken.

D It could potentially increase risk, but it doesn't clarify whether handling practices are the culprit.

E Irrelevant. An increase in production capacity over the previous year tells us about their growth, but it is irrelevant to the argument.

The correct answer is A
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the passage tells us:
1. 85% of the bacterial contamination incidents at artisan cheese aging facilities can be tracked to a group of facilities that make up 14% (let's say group A) of the aging facilities around the world.
2. the remaining 86% facilities (let's say group B) in the world contributed to the rest of the incidents: 15%.
3. since group A and group B generally use the same types of cave ventinlation and temp-controled systems as group B, differences in AGING AND HANDLING must have been responsible for the disparity in the number of incidents attributed to each group.

let's see the options:

A. this implies that the 14% handled more volume of cheese than any other group of comparable size OR 14%. One might be tempted to think that more volume could be reponsible for more incident but that is not necessarily true and neither is it what the conclusion is based on, i.e. cave ventilation and temp-control systems. hence, ELIMINATE

B. GRoup A received far more hygiene citations than group A. the passage doesnt necessaily talk about hygiene, which might tempt one to eliminate this thinking it is irrelevant. However, the argument posits that the disparity is due to differences in aging and handling practices, but hygiene is a new variable and if this statement is true it could be possible that it is the reason for more incidents reported by group A. KEEP

C. This statement is in-line with the context set by the passage, that a small chunk of facilities make up a bigger proportion of the incidents reported. However, it doesnt explain or challenge the conclusion. ELIMINATE

D. the duration of aging in these facilities is different and this actually aligns with the conclusion. ELIMINATE

E. there could be some facilities in group B that might have increased their production volume by more that 100%. So this statement actually just gives us a fact and does not challenge/weaken the current conclusion. ELIMINATE.

Ans: B
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abhilash7771
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 21:04
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Option A

lets say
Facility A ages: 1,000,000 cheeses
Facility B ages: 10,000 cheeses
Even if the contamination rate is identical, facility A will have more incidents because it handles more cheeses.

SO it weakens the conclusion of the paragraph, where the author says only aging and handling practices are responsible
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GMAT Club World Cup 2026 (Day 2): In 85 percent of the bacterial 07 Jul 2026, 21:54
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The argument of the passage is the since 14% of facilities caused 85% of contaminations and they have the same cave ventilation and tempurature control systems, the difference between these high-contamination facilities and others must be differences in aging and handling practices.

For answer A, it would make sense that a facility with a higher production/volume of cheese would have a higher number of contamination incidents and therefore contribute more to the total contamination incidents surveyed. If this is true it severely weakens the argument because it present a reason outside of aging and handling that could explain why these 14% of facilities are responsible for such a significant portion of contamination incidents.

B strengthens the argument instead of weakens it. The author believes that handling practices are responsible for the disparity, so if there are more hygiene citations at this facility that gives the author more supporting evidence.

C is not relevant information because it does not give us information for or against the idea that difference in aging and handling are responsible for the disparity between high-contamination and low-contamination facilities. It just introduces a new data set that doesn't answer our question

D could strengthen the argument because it shows that the 14% of facilities had a different aging duration than other facilities supporting that aging contributes to the disparity.

E. Though a production capacity increase could suggest more volume of cheese which is similar to A, production capacity only tells us that the could potentially produce more cheese not that they actually have.

The answer is A because it gives an alternative explanation for the disparity which weakens the argument that aging and handling must be the cause.
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