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fluke
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 10 Sep 2011, 02:47
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D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.
(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.
(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.

OG10: CR-Q158

Show SpoilerOE
Choice D, the best answer, undermines the conclusion by pointing to a serious short-term cost of replacing standard keyboards with EFCO keyboards. The employees who are probably the most productive currently, those with the most training and experience, will cause the greatest retraining costs, according to choice D. Choice A, by contrast, suggests that the transition to the EFCO keyboard is comparatively easy, at least for typists already experienced with both types of keyboards. Choices B and E both eliminate possible sources of increased expense associated with the EFCO keyboard, namely equipment expenses (choice B) and training of new typists (choice E). Choice C, which suggest that some offices have found the switch advantageous, is consistent with there being an immediate reduction of typing costs.

The same question is also discussed in OG12, CR-Q73, Page:598(Explanation)
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D
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 10 Sep 2011, 07:08
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Since the conclusion says that EFCO keyboard reduces typing costs, we need an answer that weakens this conclusion. D is the answer.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 10 Sep 2011, 10:07
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yup... a definate D.. Fluke... kudos to you buddy for your effort in posting the OE and OA!!
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 11 Sep 2011, 11:10
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fluke
In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.

- No good, premise is not based on transition of keyboards but rather on fater typing/ less fatigue. So this choice does no good to us!

(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.

- This supports (if at all) the conclusion!, no good for us...

(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.

- Irrelevant- how does it matter to us. No good!
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.

- Hang on, it talks some bad thing about transitioning to EFCO keyboards...

(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.

- Well it's kinda neutral, does no good to weaken the conclusion!

OG10: CR-Q158

Show SpoilerOE
Choice D, the best answer, undermines the conclusion by pointing to a serious short-term cost of replacing standard keyboards with EFCO keyboards. The employees who are probably the most productive currently, those with the most training and experience, will cause the greatest retraining costs, according to choice D. Choice A, by contrast, suggests that the transition to the EFCO keyboard is comparatively easy, at least for typists already experienced with both types of keyboards. Choices B and E both eliminate possible sources of increased expense associated with the EFCO keyboard, namely equipment expenses (choice B) and training of new typists (choice E). Choice C, which suggest that some offices have found the switch advantageous, is consistent with there being an immediate reduction of typing costs.

The same question is also discussed in OG12, CR-Q73, Page:598(Explanation)
Show more

So only option
Show Spoiler
D
does the required job!
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 13 Sep 2011, 11:43
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agree D. only one that fits the question presented
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 21 Dec 2013, 08:35
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fluke
In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.
(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.
(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.
Show more

Hi Verbal Experts,
Can you please let me know what's wrong with option B?
B clearly says that EFCO is either as expensive as standard keyboards or less expensive than standard keyboards...hence, it follows that there will be NO immediate reduction of typing costs. Either typing cost will remain same or will go up.So, why B is discarded?

Whereas, option D clearly says that immediate typing cost will go up. So, do we really required any evidence that must say that cost should go up.

I think, even when cost remains the same the argument is weakened.

Please clarify.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 23 Dec 2013, 18:59
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bagdbmba
fluke
In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.
(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.
(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.

Hi Verbal Experts,
Can you please let me know what's wrong with option B?
B clearly says that EFCO is either as expensive as standard keyboards or less expensive than standard keyboards...hence, it follows that there will be NO immediate reduction of typing costs. Either typing cost will remain same or will go up.So, why B is discarded?

Whereas, option D clearly says that immediate typing cost will go up. So, do we really required any evidence that must say that cost should go up.

I think, even when cost remains the same the argument is weakened.

Please clarify.
Show more

Hi bagdmba,

Thank you for your query. Please find below my comments on your analysis that:

B clearly says that EFCO is either as expensive as standard keyboards or less expensive than standard keyboards...hence, it follows that there will be NO immediate reduction of typing costs. Either typing cost will remain same or will go up. So, why B is discarded?

My comments: First of all, choice B, if anything, is in the opposite line of thought than our job in this question. The question stem asks us to WEAKEN the conclusion that the replacement of standard keyboards with EFCO keyboards will result in immediate cost reduction. However, choice B states that EFCO keyboards require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards. This suggests that there is going to be a reduction in the operating costs of keyboards if we follow the author’s suggestion. Moving on, choice B only talks about the manufacturing costs of the two types of keyboards. We can’t conclude much about the price of a product from its manufacturing cost. At best, this information could only vaguely indicate that there is not going to be much difference between the one-time acquisition cost of an EFCO keyboard and that of a standard key-board. This understanding, combined with the lower operating costs of EFCO keyboards, goes on to show the merits of the author’s suggestion. Clearly, option B does not weaken the author’s logic in any way.

Choice D on the other hand, addresses the immediate cost reduction bit in the conclusion. It states that there are additional costs involved in going through with the replacement and these costs will have to be incurred rather immediately. Hence, it is the correct weakening choice.

Hope the above analysis helps :).


Neeti.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 24 Sep 2014, 04:42
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(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.

D is clear winner here
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 22 Oct 2015, 07:22
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i really dont get why D is the answer. The sentence said nothing about employees
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 13 Jul 2016, 13:40
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fluke
In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.
(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.
(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.

OG10: CR-Q158

Show SpoilerOE
Choice D, the best answer, undermines the conclusion by pointing to a serious short-term cost of replacing standard keyboards with EFCO keyboards. The employees who are probably the most productive currently, those with the most training and experience, will cause the greatest retraining costs, according to choice D. Choice A, by contrast, suggests that the transition to the EFCO keyboard is comparatively easy, at least for typists already experienced with both types of keyboards. Choices B and E both eliminate possible sources of increased expense associated with the EFCO keyboard, namely equipment expenses (choice B) and training of new typists (choice E). Choice C, which suggest that some offices have found the switch advantageous, is consistent with there being an immediate reduction of typing costs.

The same question is also discussed in OG12, CR-Q73, Page:598(Explanation)
Show more

D is the only choice which weakens the argument.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 05 Aug 2016, 09:55
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(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.

The conclusion is : Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.
So what answer choice that links the EFCO and other keyboard with respect to typing cost and also at same time, if true, would weaken the conclusion.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 29 Apr 2017, 04:14
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Conclusion :- replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.
Weaken :- replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will not result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Option D fits the bill :-
The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to
train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 19 Aug 2022, 05:28
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egmat
bagdbmba
fluke
In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO keyboard, which places the most-used keys nearest the typist’s strongest fingers, allows faster typing and results in less fatigue. Therefore, replacement of standard keyboards with the EFCO keyboard will result in an immediate reduction of typing costs.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion drawn above?

(A) People who use both standard and EFCO keyboards report greater difficulty in the transition from the EFCO keyboard to the standard keyboard than in the transition from the standard keyboard to the EFCO keyboard.
(B) EFCO keyboards are no more expensive to manufacture than are standard keyboards and require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards.
(C) The number of businesses and government agencies that use EFCO keyboards is increasing each year.
(D) The more training and experience an employee has had with the standard keyboard, the more costly it is to train that employee to use the EFCO keyboard.
(E) Novice typists can learn to use the EFCO keyboard in about the same amount of time it takes them to learn to use the standard keyboard.

Hi Verbal Experts,
Can you please let me know what's wrong with option B?
B clearly says that EFCO is either as expensive as standard keyboards or less expensive than standard keyboards...hence, it follows that there will be NO immediate reduction of typing costs. Either typing cost will remain same or will go up.So, why B is discarded?

Whereas, option D clearly says that immediate typing cost will go up. So, do we really required any evidence that must say that cost should go up.

I think, even when cost remains the same the argument is weakened.

Please clarify.

Hi bagdmba,

Thank you for your query. Please find below my comments on your analysis that:

B clearly says that EFCO is either as expensive as standard keyboards or less expensive than standard keyboards...hence, it follows that there will be NO immediate reduction of typing costs. Either typing cost will remain same or will go up. So, why B is discarded?

My comments: First of all, choice B, if anything, is in the opposite line of thought than our job in this question. The question stem asks us to WEAKEN the conclusion that the replacement of standard keyboards with EFCO keyboards will result in immediate cost reduction. However, choice B states that EFCO keyboards require less frequent repair than do standard keyboards. This suggests that there is going to be a reduction in the operating costs of keyboards if we follow the author’s suggestion. Moving on, choice B only talks about the manufacturing costs of the two types of keyboards. We can’t conclude much about the price of a product from its manufacturing cost. At best, this information could only vaguely indicate that there is not going to be much difference between the one-time acquisition cost of an EFCO keyboard and that of a standard key-board. This understanding, combined with the lower operating costs of EFCO keyboards, goes on to show the merits of the author’s suggestion. Clearly, option B does not weaken the author’s logic in any way.

Choice D on the other hand, addresses the immediate cost reduction bit in the conclusion. It states that there are additional costs involved in going through with the replacement and these costs will have to be incurred rather immediately. Hence, it is the correct weakening choice.

Hope the above analysis helps :).


Neeti.
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egmat: I am not sure if I am following your reasoning entirely. The conclusion is talking about "typing costs", which according to me in real life context means cost related to remuneration paid to typists. Could you please explain how are you relating operational cost (i.e. maintenance & rapair) and manufacturing cost to typing cost?
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In comparison to the standard typewriter keyboard, the EFCO 05 Mar 2025, 20:58
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