In a certain university course, some of the students took their own

Question

In a certain university course, some of the students took their own handwritten notes on the lectures, while others studied from a printed set of notes written by the course instructor; no student used both kinds of notes. The students who took their own notes performed substantially better on the course exams than did those who used the notes written by the instructor. Clearly, the students' own notes must have been more complete or easier to understand than the instructor's, or else the students who took their own notes were simply those who were more motivated to do well in the course.

Which of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument in the passage above?

(A) In other classes at the same university, students who both wrote their own notes and used the pre-printed instructor notes were among the highest- performing students on class exams.

(B) The exams were not written by the course instructor.

(C) Studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes.

(D) The instructor's notes were written in language that was so florid and wordy as to make the points difficult for students to comprehend.

(E) Students in the course were not allowed to refer to any notes, whether their own or the instructor's, while taking the course exams.

ConnectTheDots · Accepted Answer

Prem 1: In a particular course, student group A took notes themselves and student group B took notes from the instructor.
Prem 2: Group A students scored more than Group B
Conclusion 1:The Group A's notes were better than Instructor's notes
OR
Conclusion 2:Group A students were more motivated than Group B students

Weakens:
 A) In other classes at the same university, students who both wrote their own notes and used the pre-printed instructor notes were among the highest- performing students on class exams.
 Out of scope: our case is for students who either use own notes or use instructors not. Not both. 
 B) The exams were not written by the course instructor.
 Out of scope: we are not bothered who wrote exams 
 C) Studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes.
 Correct: This gives alternative explanation. Group A students were neither motivated, nor had better notes. The act of note-taking helped.  
 D) The instructor's notes were written in language that was so florid and wordy as to make the points difficult for students to comprehend.
 Strengthens Conclusion Part 1. 
 E) Students in the course were not allowed to refer to any notes, whether their own or the instructor's, while taking the course exams.
 Out of scope. We are talking of why scores are high for group A. It doesn't matter if reference was allowed or not.

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Rock750 · Answer

The conclusion is : The group using handwritten stuff is performing better than the group using printed stuff BECAUSE the handwritten stuff was complete and easy to understand OR ppl among this group were more motivated than those on the second one.

So, in my opinion C strengthens the argument pointing that studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes and therefore easy to understand.. ??!!!!!

thinktank · Answer

I chose 'D' for the same reason, Experts could you plz throw some insight on this Q :shock:

fahmed1990 · Answer

In a certain university course, some of the students took their own handwritten notes on the lectures, while others studied from a printed set of notes written by the course instructor; no student used both kinds of notes. The students who took their own notes performed substantially better on the course exams than did those who used the notes written by the instructor. Clearly, the students' own notes must have been more complete or easier to understand than the instructor's, or else the students who took their own notes were simply those who were more motivated to do well in the course.

Type- weaken
Boil it down - the students' own notes must have been more complete or easier to understand than the instructor's, or else the students who took their own notes were simply those who were more motivated to do well in the course.
Pre-thinking- there is a third cause(other than the two stated) that affected the performance of students

(A) In other classes at the same university, students who both wrote their own notes and used the pre-printed instructor notes were among the highest- performing students on class exams. - Irrelevant - we are concerned about this class

(B) The exams were not written by the course instructor. - Irrelevant - who set the papers is not relevant

(C) Studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes. - Correct

(D) The instructor's notes were written in language that was so florid and wordy as to make the points difficult for students to comprehend. - incorrect - it's already covered in the conclusion

(E) Students in the course were not allowed to refer to any notes, whether their own or the instructor's, while taking the course exams. - Irrelevant

Answer C

well everyone know that. and this also not talking about the benefits of note taking C) Studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes. it is perfect match for our assumption. this single line prove author wrong about the conculation D) The instructor's notes were written in language that was so florid and wordy as to make the points difficult for students to comprehend. well this one goes with author conculation, so can't be our option E) Students in the course were not allowed to refer to any notes, whether their own or the instructor's, while taking the course exams. it's nothing talk about the conculation. it's just a pharse without any strong word. actually i don't know what does it means :oops:

i think this explain why C is the right answer. plse let me know if i made any wrong. +1 if u like the kudos

bitanrc · Answer

C. Provides another reason--Better performance of students is NOT because their notes are "more complete or easier to understand BUT physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted.

Skywalker18 · Answer

In a certain university course, some of the students took their own handwritten notes on the lectures, while others studied from a printed set of notes written by the course instructor; no student used both kinds of notes. The students who took their own notes performed substantially better on the course exams than did those who used the notes written by the instructor. Clearly, the students' own notes must have been more complete or easier to understand than the instructor's, or else the students who took their own notes were simply those who were more motivated to do well in the course.

Type- weaken
Boil it down - the students' own notes must have been more complete or easier to understand than the instructor's, or else the students who took their own notes were simply those who were more motivated to do well in the course.
Pre-thinking- there is a third cause(other than the two stated) that affected the performance of students

(A) In other classes at the same university, students who both wrote their own notes and used the pre-printed instructor notes were among the highest- performing students on class exams. - Irrelevant - we are concerned about this class

(B) The exams were not written by the course instructor. - Irrelevant - who set the papers is not relevant

(C) Studies have shown that the physical act of note-taking aids in the recall of what is noted, even for those who never review the notes. - Correct

(D) The instructor's notes were written in language that was so florid and wordy as to make the points difficult for students to comprehend. - incorrect - it's already covered in the conclusion

(E) Students in the course were not allowed to refer to any notes, whether their own or the instructor's, while taking the course exams. - Irrelevant

Answer C

TheGriffin · Answer

ans is C) classic case of false dichotomy we need to find another reason to weaken .

Deep32470 · Answer

Hi, even i have chosen D but i think one part in this option that students wrote notes on their own due to instructors writing being wordy strengthens the part in the argument.

VerbalBot · Answer

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In a certain university course, some of the students took their own

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