HOT Competition 26 Aug/8PM: Jonathan: Research shows that when horses

The argument discusses the detrimental effects of operating horses in their early foal period.
Later it concludes that horses should be operated when they are full grown.
We surely know that in the early foal stage operating is detrimental.
However, what about the other stages of development until growing up fully?
Whether saying “should never be operated until it is fully grown” is grounded?
Is there any evidence that operating may aggravate the bones in other stages in between?
Any of the above could be a weakener.


A. Recent research indicates that horses can be genetically suffering from arthritis.

A common trap: the existence of other causes doesn’t prevent the discussed one from existing.
There can be multiple reasons for developing arthritis, and operation in early day can very well be one of them.
This choice, however, do not address the conclusion of the argument that states “wait until fully-grown”. Why we should? Because of there are other causes? Not a weakener.


B. It does not mention clearly what percentage of horses operated in early foalhood suffer improper bone development.

This one may seem to be a weakener, but actually it is not. What we need to weaken is the transition point from the given evidence and the inferred conclusion. We need to cast a doubt on the validness of the conclusion or clarify whether it is inferred correctly.
We already know from the research that horses suffer such illness, so we don’t necessarily need to dispute this evidence. Instead, we should ask “why the heck not to operate in the later stages of foal development?”


C. Methods used to operate horses are detrimental to the bone structure of young horses.

There can be many things that happen while operating and that turn up to be adverse. This choice can be a part of the research based conclusion. However, as I have already said, it doesn’t answer “why the heck not to operate in the later stages of foal development?” Moreover, this choice says detrimental overall, seemingly in all stages of development. What follows is that we shouldn’t operate horses in any stage, even when grown-up. Not a weakener.


D. It does not consider the possibility that arthritis can affect horses with properly developed bones.

Yes, it can be true but “why the heck not to operate in the later stages of foal development?” until a choice doesn’t answer this question, it is not a weakener. Most of the counterargument made against questions above also applies to this one. It is not a weakener.


E. It fails to address the effects of operating in middle or late foal hood.

Bingo. If horses can be operated in middle or late foal hood without any adverse effects, then we don’t necessarily have to wait until they are fully grown-up. We just need to avoid doing so in their early foal stage and that’s all. So, the conclusion “should NEVER be operated until fully grown-up” falls into pieces. Our weakener.


Hence E

Posted from my mobile device

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.