Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will

Question

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.

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msignatius · Answer

IMO, B:

A - "The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted." - The reduced severity of the problem has nothing to do with the argument. The very existence of the problem lies at the root of the argument (the reduction of supply and subsequent impact on worker health). Hence, out of scope.

B - "Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem." - The correct option, IMO. If other suppliers are freely supplying the vaccine, that'll mean no shortage, and thus, no sick workers.
 
C - "Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available." - Out of scope. We're talking about this year. Plus, this doesn't state how last year's shortage impacted things.

D - "The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years." - Out of scope. The argument has nothing to do with this.

E - "The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year." - This may mean higher demand for vaccines due to a longer flu season, but until we know the state of other vaccine providers (who could increase their supply, if need be), we cannot treat this as a weakener.

Rahul177 · Answer

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.
Even if, it was not severe as initially predicted, shortage of vaccines can still lead to loss of productivity.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.
IMO correct. If others suppliers are not affected, then the shortage of the vaccines is unlikely to occur and hence the argument is weakened.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.
Irrelevant

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years. Irrelevant

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year. Irrelevant

arushi118 · Answer

But what if the supplier who was affected supplies most of the vaccines?

miag · Answer

Hi,

Actually this wouldn't impact the conclusion as long as we have other supplier options who are not affected. If there are other suppliers not affected by the quality control problem, then it is not necessary that there will be shortage problem, or a subsequent decline in productivity.

Hope this helps!

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will not be able to ship any supplies of the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This will create a shortage of flu vaccines and result in a loss of productivity as workers call in sick.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) The quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as some experts had initially predicted.

(B) Other suppliers of flu vaccine have not been affected by the quality control problem.

(C) Last year there was also a shortage of flu vaccine available.

(D) The price of flu vaccines is expected to fall in the next ten years.

(E) The flu season is expected to last longer than usual this year.

B

You might have been tempted by choice A, which seems to weaken the argument by saying the quality control problem of the supplier is not as severe as experts had predicted. However, the initial predictions of experts are outside the scope of the argument, because they don’t change the fact that this supplier will not be supplying any vaccines, regardless of how minor the problems might be. Similarly, what happened last year (choice C) or what will happen in the next 10 years (choice D) is also outside the scope of the argument; we want to know what will happen this year. Choice E seems to strengthen the argument since a longer flu season will presumably result in more people getting sick. The best answer is B, because if other suppliers have not been affected by quality control problems, then the overall shortage may be less severe.

Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will

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Because of a quality control problem, a supplier of flu vaccines will

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