This is an interesting question. The correct answer -
option CUnderstanding the argument- Average Life Expectancy (ALE) for US as a whole -> 73.9 years
- ALE for children born in Hawaii - 77 years
- ALE for children born in Louisiana - 71.7 years
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Conclusion: If a newly wed couple from Louisiana started their family in Hawai (i.e. children born in Hawaii), then these children would live longer than the case if the couple stayed in Louisiana (and started their family there).
Our job: is to weaken this conclusion
PrethinkingThe
key question that we should ask is
What new information will make us believe less in the conclusion stated above?
The passage only tells us that children born in Hawaii live longer, as per the data available. What we do not know here is the reason behind this higher ALE. Is it because of the environment/outer conditions in Hawaii, or is it because of some other reasons?
For example - what if the reason why Children born in Hawaii have a higher ALE is not because of Hawaii per se, but because of genetics. In such a case, even if this family started their family in Hawaii, the children born in Hawaii cannot be expected to have a higher ALE. Because genetically, they would have the genes of their parents who are Louisianans, not necessarily the type of genes that have led to higher ALE in Hawaii.
Weakener - a statement that indicates that children born in Hawaii have a higher ALE due to intrinsic reasons that have nothing to do with the environment/outer system in Hawaii e.g. genetics)
Option Choice Analysis(A) Insurance company statisticians do not believe that moving to Hawaii will significantly lengthen the average Louisianan's life.
The opinion of the statisticians has no bearing on the conclusion about whether these children will live longer. Irrelevant. Remember, the conclusion is not about the average Louisianan. It is about these children in particular (will be born in Hawaii, to Louisianan parents)
(B) The governor of Louisiana has falsely alleged that statistics for his state are inaccurate.
Again irrelevant. Falsely alleged - means the stats are accurate. So, it cannot weaken the argument in any way
(C) The longevity ascribed to Hawaii's current population is attributable mostly to genetically determined factors.Correct. In line with our prethinking
(D) Thirty percent of all Louisianans can expect to live longer than 77 years.
Not relevant. This statistic does nothing to increase or decrease our belief in the conclusion about the children
(E) Most of the Hawaiian Islands have levels of air pollution well below the national average for the United States.
Strengthens rather than weakens. Increases belief in the notion that something about the environment/outer system in Hawaii can be the reason for Higher ALE. In such a case, it strengthens the belief in the conclusion that children born here, even if the parents are Louisianan, may have a higher ALE
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Harsha
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