How to identify wrong answers?
PART B
3.
Wrong answer choices for weakening questiona) CategoryUsually the weaken type question falls in the below three categories. Read the conclusion of the argument to identify the below three categories.
* Unaccounted Possibility - showing that the conclusion fails to account for some element or possibility. Note: The conclusion is sometimes destroyed in the weakening case.
This is most common category. When you read any CR, you should ask yourself "which is that possibility or factor missing that could weaken the argument". It is important to churn your brain when you see any CR question even though it doesn't lead to any ending, or worst it gives many options.
Let do a CR.
Argument: The ability to access information via computer is a tremendous resource for visually impaired people. Only a limited amount of printed information is accessible in braille, large type, or audiotape. But a person with the right hardware and software can access a large quantity of information from libraries and museums around the world, and can have the computer read the information aloud, display it in large type, or produce a braille version. Thus, visually impaired people can now access information from computers more easily than they can from most traditional sources.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument expressed above? The conclusion is that the visually impaired people can get the information through the computers easily, which was not the case in the past. Now what factor is missing that can weaken this argument. Everything looks good about this argument. Still there is that one hidden dark secret that can kill this argument. (Add humor when you are reasoning). I can think of several unaccounted possibilities. Some of them are
1. The visually impaired people traditionally never able to see the graphics, nature images or painting for their studies. Computer would still not able to help.
2. The visually impaired people could not afford computer or software.
3. Due to piracy, many museum or libraries are taking their content out from the software and the content would not be available in computers in next 5 years or blah...
See, you can come with many possibilities. All you need to find out what kind of weakening answer you are looking for. * Unaccounted Comparison - You will find this situation when something is compared with something else and a conclusion is stated.
The below excerpt is from my notes. This is one example where the unaccounted comparison situation is applied.
(OG 10 Ques - 93) : The premise is based on the dental discovery that tooth brushes are contaminated after four weeks of usage and that the contamination with bacteria causes pneumonia and strep throat. The conclusion is offered that the tooth brushes should be replaced once per month. The reasoning error is in the observation and in the correlation between the number of weeks and the occurrence of pneumonia and strep throat. The argument is weakening by Unaccounted Comparison answer type. It states that the incidence of disease among the people who used contaminated tooth brushes is no higher than among people who used uncontaminated tooth brush. * Alternate explanation or reason.
Note: The position of the conclusion is mostly weaken and not destroyed. This is an important category. It is slightly different from the unaccounted possibility. In this category, you are just finding another reason to establish the weakening of the conclusion.
Another excerpt from my notes. This is to establish the alternate reason category.
(OG 10 Ques -81) : The conclusion is that the program to control the entry of illegal drugs into the country was a failure in 1987. The premise is that if the program had been successful, the wholesales price of most illegal drugs would have dropped substantially in 1987. The reasoning is based on the indicator of the success of the plan which would raise the wholesales price of most illegal drugs. To weaken this reasoning, we will need an alternate reason as to why the wholesale price fell. The answer is the domestic production of illegal drugs increased substantially in 1987. Watch adverb "substantially” common in both premise and answer, confirming the suitability of choice.b) Place, distance or time fallacy Remember - This fallacy is true for assumption, weaken and strengthen questions.
Excerpt from my notes:
A course of action is proposed by tabling out a plan in a desired region. Eliminate a choice when it states that the similar plan is not successful in one region. If a plan is not successful in one region, it is not a strong answer to assume that the same or similar plan will not work in the desired region. Note: The same is true for time. If a plan was or was not successful at one time, it doesn't guarantee that it will be or not be successful again. The opposite of this is also true. Eliminate a choice when it states that the similar plan is successful in one region or at one time. Let’s consider an example. This is an assumption question. But as I said, you can use for weaken type as well. Pay attention to key words to identify the fallacy.
A recent report determined that only five percent of all homeowners in Stockton have outfitted their homes with burglar alarms. However, of the Stockton homes that have been burglarized within the last five years, 25 percent were outfitted with such alarms during the burglaries. Clearly, Stockton homeowners who outfit their homes with burglar alarms are more likely to become victims of burglary than are those who do not.
The conclusion above depends on which of the following assumptions?
* The number of homes in Stockton that were burglarized within the last five years is greater than the number of homes equipped with burglar alarms.
* A significant number of the homes in Stockton that were burglarized within the last five years were burglarized more than once within this time period.
* Homes that have been burglarized within the last five years are more likely to be burglarized than are homes that have not been burglarized within the last five years.
* Homeowners who outfit their homes with burglar alarms are less likely to become victims of burglary than are homeowners who have not installed such alarms.
* Homeowners in Stockton who have outfitted their homes with burglar alarms are more likely to be victims of burglary than homeowners with burglar alarms living in other similar cities . (Place Fallacy)
Ans C
OG 12 - 87 In the United States, of the people who moved from one state to another when they retired, the percentage who retired to Florida has decreased by three percentage points over the past ten years. Since many local businesses in Florida cater to retirees, these declines are likely to have a noticeably negative economic effect on these businesses and therefore on the economy of Florida.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument given?
(A) People who moved from one state to another when they retired moved a greater distance, on average, last year than such people did ten years ago. (Time Fallacy)
(B) People were more likely to retire to North Carolina from another state last year than people were ten years ago.
(C) The number of people who moved from one state to another when they retired has increased significantly over the past ten years.
(D) The number of people who left Florida when they retired to live in another state was greater last year than it was ten years ago.
(E) Florida attracts more people who move from one state to another when they retire than does any other state.
Ans C - Note - C is not having the time fallacy because the choice is confined to the same time period. ( Thanks rg1 to point this out)
c) Scope In my previous post, I talked about the scope. Read them properly. The scope is the next best thing in CR if you get a grasp.
d) Cause and Effect Refer to the CR Bible from Powerscore. I don't think there is a book that could explain more clearly and concisely. Excerpt from my notes -
If Casual Relationship argument, make a mental note of cause-effect relation using the below rules.
* Find an alternate cause for the stated effect.
* Shows that when the cause occurs, the effect does not occur.
* Shows that although the effect occurs, the cause did not occur.
* Show that the stated relationship is reversed.
* Shows that a statistical problem exists with the data used to make the casual statement If you need more elaborate explanation, I can certainly do that. I need to know if there is any audience for it.
e) Opposite Choice This choice is valid for both strengthening and weakening. Beware of the opposite choice. It is very common to pick the strengthen choice in the weaken question. The best way to prevent this from happening is by going back to the conclusion and then read question again before clicking OK button. But I understand if you don't have time. Under time pressure, no one expects us to be sane. But try to practice it.
f) Numbers and Percentage Again, read the CR bible and read this chapter carefully. Don't underestimate this chapter. It has potential to jack up your CR score if you get a question on numbers/percentage. And according to my experience, you may get one question on this topic. If you need more details, I can come up with an example.
More parts are coming......stay tuned!!!!
30 Apr 2011, 03:02
I am elated.
Support GMAT Club by putting a GMAT Club badge on your blog/Facebook 
. Some people told me that practice would give a sense of time, but this seems not true for me 
. Last couple of days were crazy. Now, everything is behind me, I can work on this. 
close
