Bunuel
Some medical researchers suspect that eye mascara brushes can become contaminated with bacteria, leading to conjunctivitis and other eye infections. The contamination usually manifests itself after six months of use. Because of this, these researchers suggest that mascara brushes should not be used for more than six months.Which of the following statements would most weaken the suggestion put forth by these medical researchers?A The medical researchers found that those people who carefully sealed the brushes in their mascara tubes were as likely to have contaminated brushes as those who did not.B The medical researchers did not find more bacteria contamination in mascara brushes that were used for eight months than those used for six months.C The medical researchers do not know why mascara brushes usually become contaminated after six months.D The medical researchers did not consider other possible contaminants such as viruses, or product defects.E The medical researchers found that those who used contaminated mascara brushes had no higher incidence of conjunctivitis or eye infections than those who did not. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
This is a weaken the argument question.
The first step is to identify the argument. In this example, the argument is: Some medical researchers suspect that eye mascara brushes can become contaminated with bacteria, leading to conjunctivitis and other eye infections.
Anticipate what the answer will be, if possible. An answer that could weaken the argument would probably state that mascara brushes contaminated with bacteria will not increase the number of cases of eye infections.
Eliminate answer choices that do not weaken the argument. Choices A, B, C, and D do not contradict the idea that bacteria-contaminated mascara brushes lead to conjunctivitis and other eye infections.
Only E does this. Choice E basically negates the argument by stating that those who used contaminated mascara brushes had NO greater risk for conjunctivitis or other eye infections than those who did not.