Linda: In the 1800s, it was found that one in every six women who gave

Linda’s argument has a cause-effect relationship and a comparison element as well.

The causal argument is that the safety of women (or low mortality among women) is dependent on the hygiene awareness among the doctors.
The comparison element is that women today are better off than the women in the 1800s.

If Fiona is to question Linda’s argument, she has to establish that one of these two (the causal and the comparison) relationships do not actually hold true. This is the reason that Fiona’s argument tries to establish that awareness is not enough. Mortality is also affected by the actual practices of the doctors.
To further weaken Linda’s argument, the correct answer Option must extend this discussion or question whether women today are actually better off than the women from the 1800s.


Option (B) can be eliminated because we do not know whether these hospital-acquired infections were because of poor practices of the doctors or because of other factors.

Option (C) can be eliminated because the option adds further support to Linda’s argument, when in fact the objective is to weaken her argument.

Option (D) can be eliminated because the option again adds support to Linda’s argument.

Option (E) seems to imply that the nurses do not have proper practices in place. At first glance, the option seems to work. However, the option assumes that doctors do not adhere to the schedules, implying that nurses are as bad. Nurses and doctors could both be GOOD at sticking to the cleansing schedules. Moreover, the focus of the discussion is on the practice of doctors and not of nurses.

Option (A) works because it establishes another reason for carelessness among doctors when it comes to hygiene. If doctors believe they do not carry pathogens, they are more likely to be careless about cleansing schedules.

Option A is the correct answer.

Please hit kudos if this helps!

Would like to add my two cents.
I chose A as an answer.

Linda thinks through her reasoning that the cause of deaths was due to pathogens due to unhygeine.

Now Fiona says that today also the doctors don't wash their hands due to their busy schedule.

Question stem says in what scenario shall Fiona weaken Linda's reasoning.


A) it says that doctor's believe they do not carry pathogens.

Well... Might be but it does make us believe that irrespective of mortality today the pathogens might not be the reason. It slightly does weaken Linda's reasoning.

B) 50k deaths can be because of any reason and it does not specifically attack the reasoning for pathogens.

C) it's a counter premise so ruled out

D) it says doctor's cleaned their hand 90 out of 100 times... Well 10 times can lead to deaths and it does not weaken the cause that pathogens killed women and at a stretch seems like a strengthener for Linda's reasoning.

E) idea is about the cleansing of doctors as it is doctors who are responsible for infusing pathogens and hence incorrect.

Ans shall be A.

Regards,
Rishav

Posted from my mobile device

C D E are not even under consideration.

confusion can be between A and B .

However B states 50k deaths, one we do not whether 50k is huge number or not, depends on population and admits in the hospital, also B does not talk about doctors hygiene as such , which was one of the main points raised by LINDA

Hence A clear winner, as further supports Fiona's view that Doctors are themselves responsible in spreading infection

How is this a 750 level question? The answer seems absolutely obvious. B, C, and D either give more to the premise or strengthen the argument. E may need a second read through, but still can be eliminated. I'm a 640 scorer and find it hard to believe this is a 750 question.

Enough ranting. Good question otherwise. Kudos to you.