A study published by the Department of Education shows that children i

Question

A study published by the Department of Education shows that children in the central cities lag far behind students in the suburbs and the rural areas in reading skills. The report blames this differential on the over-crowding in the classrooms of city schools. I maintain, however, that the real reason that city children are poorer readers than non city children is that they do not get enough fresh air and sunshine.

Which of the following would LEAST strengthen the author’s point in the preceding argument?

(A) Medical research that shows a correlation between air pollution and learning disabilities

(B) A report by educational experts demonstrating that there is no relationship between the number of students in a classroom and a student’s ability to read

(C) A notice released by the Department of Education retracting that part of their report that mentions overcrowding as the reason for the differential

(D) The results of a federal program that indicates that city students show significant improvement in reading skills when they spend the summer in the country

(E) A proposal by the federal government to fund emergency programs to hire more teachers for central city schools in an attempt to reduce overcrowding in the classrooms

Source:  Master GMAT

gmatdordie · Answer

Which of the following would LEAST strengthen the author’s point in the preceding argument?

Conclusion: Overcrowding of classroom and not getting a fresh air is reason for poor reading capabilities,
we need the answer choice that weaken the above conclusion or is neutral towards conclusion

(A) Medical research that shows a correlation between air pollution and learning disabilities -strengthen the conclusion

(B) A report by educational experts demonstrating that there is no relationship between the number of students in a classroom and a student’s ability to read - weaken hold on

(C) A notice released by the Department of Education retracting that part of their report that mentions overcrowding as the reason for the differential - strengthen the conclusion

(D) The results of a federal program that indicates that city students show significant improvement in reading skills when they spend the summer in the country -strengthen

(E) A proposal by the federal government to fund emergency programs to hire more teachers for central city schools in an attempt to reduce overcrowding in the classrooms -strengthen the conclusion,

Best OA: B

Psyllium9 · Answer

Can someone please explain why OA is E and not B?

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

The question stem asks us to find the one item which will not strengthen the author’s argument. That is  (E) . Remember, the author’s argument is an attempt (to be sure, a weak one) to develop an alternative causal explanation.

(A)  would provide some evidence that the author’s claim—which at first glance seems a bit far-fetched—actually has some empirical foundation. While  (B)  does not add any strength to the author’s own explanation of the phenomenon being studied, it does strengthen the author’s overall position by undermining the explanation given in the report.

(C)  strengthens the author’s position for the same reason that  (B)  does: It weakens the position that is attacked.

(D)  strengthens the argument in the same way that  (A)  does, by providing some empirical support for the otherwise seemingly far-fetched explanation.

The correct answer is (E).

Hope it helps

VerbalBot · Answer

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A study published by the Department of Education shows that children i

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