Hi WillGetIt,

good question. However, do not forget to add tags to the same. In such way the question pop up easily during a search on the board.

back to the question.

The two bold parts are in contrast. As such, B C and D are out because they go in the same direction.

Between A and E, the latter does not say that the argument is faulty but undermine it. Infact at a closer look the second bold says: the are resons other than those the argument or statistic says. In other words, the argument is undermined but not destroyed. So A is the best answer to this question.

Regards
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Thanks to pointed out your thoughts. However, I have not analyzed this question under the weaken / strenght technique. I always follow the unfolding of the argument as whole. Then I draw my conclusions. (See your first point)

Also, I didnt mention that the first bold is NOT the conclusion. I only said that the argument NOT completely destroy the argument because we have or could have other reasons than those mentioned. Also, statistics are statistics: could not being true all the way around.

This is what I think when approach a bold.That's it

Regards
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VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Correct Answer: A

The mortality rate for married men is much lower as compared to that of single men. The first boldfaced portion takes this evidence to support its claim that married men must have safer lifestyles. The second then offers counterevidence that there may be factors other than risky activities that could be contributing to the disparity in death rates. The answer that best describes the roles in this way is answer choice A. B- The first portion does not play the role of evidence, but is actually a conclusion. The second does not play the role of a conclusion; it instead offers a possibility that undermines the previous boldface portion. Therefore answer choice B is incorrect. C- The second portion does not support the position of the first but rather opposes it. Therefore answer choice C is incorrect. D- The first portion does not provide evidence that supports the position of the argument. Therefore answer choice D is incorrect. E- The first is a conclusion, not a premise. Therefore answer choice E is incorrect.
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First underlined: married men lead safer lifestyles and do not frequently engage in risky hobbies
is a position/conclusion based on evidence provided in the argument.
Second underlined: causes of death for married and single men are not established and there are factors other than accidents related to high-risk activities that contribute to the mortality rate of both groups
provides evidence to undermine the first

IMO A
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