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Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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A) the arguement is about number of accdients, not severity. ( hence not relevant)
B) comparsion to the othr way of delivry is irrelavnt to the arguement
c)size of the drones are ont affectng the arguement
d)this strenghten the arguement saying the frequency is same, then if more delivry happens more accident will occour
e) this weakens the arument by giving an alternative explaination of why drone acciednt happened.

answer is e
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Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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The passage speaks about drones - specifically, autonomous delivery drones.

Proponents : These drones can be effective in urban areas. Because, urban areas are usually crowded, and delivery takes a longer time, moreover the package is delivered safely.

Opponents: They cite 60 incidents which took place last year at few major cities, where the drones lost control UNEXPECTEDLY. These drones were operated by 2 major drone companies.

Since, The proposed new drone fleet designs, include no additional safeguards to prevent such unexpected accidents.

They conclude accidents will increase , as delivery drones usage also increases.

IF Delivery Drones INCREASES —————-> Accidents INCREASES.

We need to find a seriously weakening option from the following, this gives us a clue that there is another weakening statement of lesser intent.

A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.

This option speaks about the reported accident incidents, out of which 60 incidents even though a smaller fraction has resulted in damage or loss of property. Here are few things to be aware of. Firstly, if 60 is a small fraction of reported incidents, then the number of reported incidents should be a greater figure. Secondly, the number of unreported incidents, which can be any number. Just considering the reported incidents figure, we can say the accidents are high.

This option speaks on the severity of incidents, while the actual debate is around the number of accidents. Hence, Wrong.

B) Other methods of package delivery ,such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident prone than drone delivery.

This option shifts its focus to other methods of delivery, while the actual debate revolves around automated drone delivery and the accidents while using it. This is a diversion tactics used by people to evade the problem, and increasing the scope of issue to dilute it. Hence, wrong.

C) The current fleets at existing drone delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need of new drones.

The issue is not between new drones vs old drones - which has caused more accidents and damage. As earlier instances of accidents has occured, the trend that incorporating new drones might increase the number of accidents. This option speaks on capacity handling, which is irrelevant. Hence, wrong.

D) The frequency of unexpected loss of control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency of older fleets.

If the frequency of accidents hasn’t changed, then there is a fundamental flaw in the system or design of operation. With more fleets being added to the arsenal, we might expect the accident figures to shoot up. Hence, it strengthens the conclusion.

E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

This option explains the cause of accidents - as many people operating the drones have received lesser training, this could have resulted in unexpected loss of control , eventually leading to injuries. As the training phase, might help them learn a bit more of how effective can the drones be handled, we might expect the accident rates to fall.

That doesn’t mean, adding more drones will lead to more accidents. May be the new drones might have an improved version of combat the issue of unexpected loss of control. Hence, a weakener. As it’s not the drones which are faulty, but the person who is handling it.

Option E
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A. We do not know if the fraction will increase as more drones become involved hence incorrect
B. This is out of scope because it talks about other methods instead weakening drone use
C. Even if that is the case, it does not resolve the losses challenge at hand
D. This only serves to confirm that the losses will increase at the same rate
E Correct choice. Although we have to assume that the companies have retrained the staff to reduce the losses
Ans E*
Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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I'm really not sure if I'm getting this right, but what bothers me is that evidence provides the number of incidents, whereas the conclusion speaks about increase in accidents. I feel like there's an unexplained conflation of terms, and I'd look for something in the answers that really calls it out.

A) Perhaps this is our option, since it draws this line between incidents and accidents. Like, there were losses of control, yes, but it's not like they had any impact, so where would all these 'accidents' come from?

B) We're not saying drones are better that other things, so other alternatives are irrelevant.

C) This doesn't change anything, because the current drones are as faulty as the potential new ones.

D) This is a strengthener, since it only underlines the fact that no improvements are taking place.

E) While this sounds like a weakener, since the loss of control had a human factor and is therefore not a widescale issue, we have no information whether other operators in the future will get more profound training, which means it doesn't really show anything about the future concerns.

Therefore, the right answer is A.
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Evidence : 60 loss of control incidents last year at 2 drone companies.
Claim : New Drone fleets have no extra safeguards.
Conclusion: If Drone delivery use increases - accidents will become prevalent.

Key assumption: The accidents are mainly due to drone technology , so scaling up drones = more accidents.

A : Only a small fraction caused : accidents still occurred , This is talking about severity.❌
B: Comparison to Bicycles are irrelevant.❌
C: Existing Fleets can handle increased volume without new drones . Accidents could still increase with more flights.❌
D: New flights have similar incident rates as older flights - supports the concern.❌
E : Loss of control may be due to human training failures not drone design , Directly attacks the assumption.✅
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See, here PoE helps a lot.

A. This is talking about the effect of the accidents, which is not the focus here. The focus is on the increase in accidents.
B. Sure, but note here, the conclusion has a condition. It says that if the use of drone delivery increases, then this is not relevant.
C. We are worried about how the companies will handle the increased use of drones.
D. This infact strengthens by indicating that there would be an increase in the accidents if the use increases.
E. We are only left with E, and it doesn't do a great job, but still better compared to the other choices. It weakens by pointing out by saying that there wouldn't be necesarrily be an increase, because those reported were at the companies that operated them had minimal training. So this doesn't necessarily have to be the case for all companies, which doesn't indicate there would be an increase in the accidents.

Option E.
Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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E) is correct, since the loss of control at the two companies that reported was due to human failure. Therefore, it is not true that more drons will necessarily lead to more accidents. So this answer weakens most the argument.
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Weaken the argument:

Conclusion: Number of incidents will only become more, if drone delivery is increased.

Premise: New drone fleets haven't been done any safeguard upgrades.

Assumption (Holding link): This time number of deliveries must have increased than previously.

Answer: E

Reason: Last time when the incidents happened, there were only minimal training given on handling errors. So hopefully, now the training should have been done more than last time.

Not the answer & reason:

C - Ability to handle operations with the current fleet itself, doesn't guarantee me any reduction in errors.
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Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(The argument is not about what damage or injury they causes. It doesn't weaken the argument) Wrong

(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(Making this comparison is irrelevant to the argument) Wrong

(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(It does not explain why accidents would increase, only about capacity) Wrong

(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(Comparison of old fleets and the new fleets only proves that safety isn't improved, it only strengths the argument) Wrong

(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.
(This explains the incidents happened because of poor training. If the training improves, the accidents might decrease. It weakens the argument) Correct
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Context: Autonomous delivery drones are advocated as safe to transport packages in urban areas. But opponents point to the 60 incidents reported last year at two existing drone delivery companies.
Premise: Designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such loss of control
Conclusion: Accidents will increase if drone delivery increases
Logical gap: Accidents happened last year is used to predict that current drone system will also encounter proportionate number of accidents

Evaluating options

A) This does not help us. Even if it is a small fraction, if the same fraction of accidents are involved in future also, accidents will increase proportionately
B) This is irrelevant. The conclusion is about new drones deliveries leading to loss of control
C) This is not our concern. Even if the current fleet is capable of handling workload, this does not tell us anything about reducing the number of accidents
D) This is a strengthener. If same frequency is expected, greater the number of drones, greater the number of accidnets
E) This is a weakener. This brings in another reason for the accidents which is human negligence. If this factor is solved, we will not be having increased number of accidents for increased drone deliveries.
Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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We're face-to-face with a logical fallacy in the conclusion presented in the stem: "since no one's working to make drones safer, with an increase in the use of package delivery via drones, there will be an increase in 'loss of control' of the mechanical bird."

Why is this being assumed? Because of two instances at existing drone-delivery companies. But isn't this assumption too much a stretch / generalization? What if these were one-off cases because of reasons that may not "fly" once the numbers increase?

Let's figure with the options -

A. We're not concerned with whether the drone caused damage or not, we're only concerned with 'loss of control'. Eliminate.

B. This isn't an argument of drone delivery vs other mode of delivery, this is an argument on whether an increase in drone use will lead to an increase in the instances in which there was a loss of control, or not. Eliminate.

C. Well, this may make sense if we assume that for 'loss of control' to become more prevalent, we need drone use to increase in the first place, which this option states may not occur as the utilization of drones improves; but here, we're shifting the subject matter away from what the argument says - that "loss of control will become more prevalent if THE USE of drone delivery increases". This could also imply that handling higher delivery volume equates to an increase in drone use. Eliminate, but close.

D. This is irrelevant, mainly because we aren't comparing old and new fleets of drones.

E. The answer! This reveals externalities / controllables that caused the loss of control, which can be easily bridged with proper training, that is also likely to be instituted as drones become standard.


Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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A - Even if small fraction resulted in property damage or injury does not mean that future accidents would not cause more damage. This does not weaken the argument, hence no
B - Comparison with other system of courier delivery does not address the concern over drone delivery. The statement is irrelevant, hence no
C - Even if same number of drones are operated does not mean that accidents won't happen. Does not address the concern or refute it, hence no
D - No decrease in loss control will result in similar chances of accidents which supports the statement not weaken it, hence no
E - If the operator was not properly trained to handle accident prone situation, more training could result in solving the issue even with the same safety standards in new drones. This weakens the claim.

Answer Option E
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On analyzing the options one by one,

A: Fewer injuries or damage doesn’t show losses of control won’t increase → does not weaken the prediction about prevalence. Eliminate

B: Comparison with bicycle couriers is irrelevant to whether drone accidents will increase → does not weaken. Eliminate

C: Says no new drones are needed, but doesn’t address why losses of control occurred → does not weaken. Eliminate

D: Same loss-of-control frequency across fleets supports the idea that the problem persists → strengthens, not weakens. Eliminate

E If many incidents were due to poor operator training, then losses of control may be fixable without new safeguards → weakens the claim that accidents will inevitably increase. Keep

The correct answer is option E
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MC: Since there are no additional safety features, accidents will increase if drone delivery increases.

A. Even if a small fraction leads to accidents, since the total number of drones increases, the absolute value of accidents will increase. Therefore it does not weaken the conclusion.

B. We are not comparing drone delivery with other forms of delivery. Out of scope.

C. The fact is already considering a new drone fleet, so whether the requirement of a new fleet is required or not is not our concern.

D. Even if the frequency of unexpected loss-of-control remains the same between new and old fleets, the absolute value of accidents will increase with the increase in number of drones.

E. This option tells us that the real reason for the accidents are because after the failure of the automated systems, drone operators were inexperienced in controlling the drones. Therefore this gives us an alternate explanation as to why the accidents occurred and weakens the conclusion.
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Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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To weaken the argument, we need to show that the reported incidents could be explained by factors other than design. Factors that could be corrected even without new safeguards.

A It minimizes the severity of incidents but does not undermine the claim that accidents will increase.

B It compares drones to other delivery methods, but this does not address whether drone accidents will increase.

C It concerns fleet capacity, not accident causation.

D It suggests incidents are persistent across fleets, which does not weaken the conclusion.

E Correct. It attributes many incidents to inadequate operator training, not to drone design. If losses of control were largely due to poor human intervention, then increasing drone use with better training could avoid a rise in accidents.


IMO E
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Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. ---> Background info.

But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. ---> A premise

Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control,---> A second premise

Accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.----> Conclusion

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?----> QS: Weaken

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.---> this one is about the past while conclusion is about future. So OUT.

(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.----> off context. OUT

(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.----> this shows no need to increase the number of drones for future usage. So conclusion weakens. Keep it now.

(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.---> This is about the current reports and still lacks the future. OUT.

(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.---> A reason why the incidents happend. But this doesn't weaken the conclusion. OUT
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A -> Even if there is small percentage, the overall numbers may rise with additional usage. Supports the argument
B -> Comparison with other methods doesn't weaken the argument.
C -> This does not offset increased usage. Hence doesn't weaken
D -> This strengthens the argument
E -> This weakens the argument by suggesting that accidents may not continue even if drone design and drone related safeguards have not been put in place. Safeguards outside of drone's functioning can also prevent accidents.

Option E
Bunuel
Increased use of autonomous delivery drones is sometimes advocated as a safe way to transport packages in crowded urban areas. But opponents of drone delivery point to the 60 incidents involving unexpected loss of control that were reported just last year at two existing drone-delivery companies operating in major cities. Since designs for proposed new drone fleets include no additional safeguards to prevent such losses of control, accidents will only become more prevalent if use of drone delivery increases.

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

(A) In only a small fraction of the reported incidents did a drone’s loss of control result in property damage or injury.
(B) Other methods of package delivery, such as bicycle couriers, have not been proven less accident-prone than drone delivery.
(C) The current fleets at existing drone-delivery companies are large enough to handle increased delivery volume without any need for new drones.
(D) The frequency of unexpected loss-of-control reports in newly launched drone fleets is about the same as the frequency in older fleets.
(E) At the two companies where losses of control were reported, many drone operators had received only minimal training on how to intervene when automated systems malfunctioned.

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