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An avid television viewer is statistically more likely to take sleeping pills at bedtime than a person who enjoys listening to classical music but does not watch television as a habit. Clearly, listening to classical music just before bedtime contributes to a more restful night’s sleep, whereas watching television before bedtime has the opposite effect. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the above argument?
A. People who enjoy classical music typically like to read just before bedtime. B. Reading a book before bedtime contributes to restful sleep more than listening to music does. C. Sleeplessness is more common among people who watch late-night television than among people who do not. D. Engaging in a bedtime activity that is mentally stimulating often interferes with a person’s ability to fall asleep. E. A silent environment is less conducive to restful sleep than an environment with calming ambient sounds.
An avid television viewer is statistically more likely to take sleeping pills at bedtime than a person who enjoys listening to classical music but does not watch television as a habit. Clearly, listening to classical music just before bedtime contributes to a more restful night’s sleep, whereas watching television before bedtime has the opposite effect. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the above argument?
A. People who enjoy classical music typically like to read just before bedtime. B. Reading a book before bedtime contributes to restful sleep more than listening to music does. C. Sleeplessness is more common among people who watch late-night television than among people who do not. D. Engaging in a bedtime activity that is mentally stimulating often interferes with a person’s ability to fall asleep. E. A silent environment is less conducive to restful sleep than an environment with calming ambient sounds.
The argument concludes that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between listening to classical music and getting restful sleep. But this conclusion is based merely on the statistical correlation cited in the first sentence. One way to discredit the conclusion is to provide evidence that something else results in restful sleep. That’s exactly what choice (A) accomplishes, by pointing out another possible cause: bedtime reading. The correct response is (A).
An avid television viewer is statistically more likely to take sleeping pills at bedtime than a person who enjoys listening to classical music but does not watch television as a habit. Clearly, listening to classical music just before bedtime contributes to a more restful night’s sleep, whereas watching television before bedtime has the opposite effect. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the above argument?
A. People who enjoy classical music typically like to read just before bedtime. B. Reading a book before bedtime contributes to restful sleep more than listening to music does. C. Sleeplessness is more common among people who watch late-night television than among people who do not. D. Engaging in a bedtime activity that is mentally stimulating often interferes with a person’s ability to fall asleep. E. A silent environment is less conducive to restful sleep than an environment with calming ambient sounds.
The argument concludes that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between listening to classical music and getting restful sleep. But this conclusion is based merely on the statistical correlation cited in the first sentence. One way to discredit the conclusion is to provide evidence that something else results in restful sleep. That’s exactly what choice (A) accomplishes, by pointing out another possible cause: bedtime reading. The correct response is (A).
Answer: A
What if people who listen music read books but the later activity has no impact on sleep??? and it is only the listing music which cause sleep. How can we assume that the reading did have an affect on sleeping. Is it right to assume this, just becasue sleeping was preceded by reading?
I think this the explanation isn't clear enough, please elaborate. Hi .. Could you please explain why C is not correct?... According to this option, sleeplessness is more common among ppl who watch late night television than ppl who do not. This can mean that they are watching television because they have the problem of sleeplessness which is why they watch Tv late night. Not that watching Tv is causing sleeplessness. The causal effect is reversed. Can it not weaken the argument ??... I am confused.. Please explain...
I think this the explanation isn't clear enough, please elaborate. Hi .. Could you please explain why C is not correct?... According to this option, sleeplessness is more common among ppl who watch late night television than ppl who do not. This can mean that they are watching television because they have the problem of sleeplessness which is why they watch Tv late night. Not that watching Tv is causing sleeplessness. The causal effect is reversed. Can it not weaken the argument ??... I am confused.. Please explain...
You have addressed an excellent point frequently used as a trap in weakening questions. However, statement C does not establish a reverse causal relaionship. If the statement were something like the one below, then your argument would have been absolutely correct:
"People who cannot sleep at night watch television to pass time"... this estbalishes a reverse causal relationship, thereby weakening the forward causal relationship.
However the statementt given in option C, just as in the main passage, states a correlation, not a causal relation.
The premise shows a correlation between listening to music and restful sleep. Then the author concludes that listening to music leads to restful sleep. IMO A provides an indirect reason (a bridge) that links the two things, which means that those people who listen to music read books, and reading is the direct reason for restful sleep.
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The premise shows a correlation between listening to music and restful sleep. Then the author concludes that listening to music leads to restful sleep. IMO A provides an indirect reason (a bridge) that links the two things, which means that those people who listen to music read books, and reading is the direct reason for restful sleep.
No, option A does not act as a bridge between listening to music and sleeping because listening to music and reading books is again a correlation, not a causation.
I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
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Please note that the strengthen / weaken questions need not ensure the conclusion (or the error in the conclusion). It should in some way (even if something needs to be assumed) strengthen or weaken.
The assumption questions are "must be true" type, but not strengthen / weaken ones.
Option A implies that there MAY be some other reason that causes sound sleep - this is good enough to weaken the argument. (It is not required that there MUST be some other reason.)
I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
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Please note that the strengthen / weaken questions need not ensure the conclusion (or the error in the conclusion). It should in some way (even if something needs to be assumed) strengthen or weaken.
The assumption questions are "must be true" type, but not strengthen / weaken ones.
Option A implies that there MAY be some other reason that causes sound sleep - this is good enough to weaken the argument. (It is not required that there MUST be some other reason.)
can you please explain that why option E is incorrect?
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I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
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Please note that the strengthen / weaken questions need not ensure the conclusion (or the error in the conclusion). It should in some way (even if something needs to be assumed) strengthen or weaken.
The assumption questions are "must be true" type, but not strengthen / weaken ones.
Option A implies that there MAY be some other reason that causes sound sleep - this is good enough to weaken the argument. (It is not required that there MUST be some other reason.)
can you please explain that why option E is incorrect?
Option E is out of context altogether. The argument is about 2 things: whether listening to classical music is conducive to restful sleep and whether watching television is not. Option E does not deal with any of these two.
I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
#
Please note that the strengthen / weaken questions need not ensure the conclusion (or the error in the conclusion). It should in some way (even if something needs to be assumed) strengthen or weaken.
The assumption questions are "must be true" type, but not strengthen / weaken ones.
Option A implies that there MAY be some other reason that causes sound sleep - this is good enough to weaken the argument. (It is not required that there MUST be some other reason.)
Please excuse me, I would like to commend your last sentence. How on earth do we know that reading helps sleep? I'm not convinced with either the oa or the oe. I think it is the power of the answer maker allows him to decide that "reading helps sleep". If A is correct, then the revised version of it should correct: "People who enjoy classical music typically like to play kickboxing just before bedtime", because we (or question maker) could also decide that "Play kickboxing" helps sleep (we all know is not true in reality) base on the power of a question creator . Please point out my flaw above if possible. Thanks.
I think A is ambiguous. why must i assume that reading indirectly helps get sleepy. Actually, I can not choose A, feeling confident that my choice is correct in the real test. then I would choose A as a guess.
#
Please note that the strengthen / weaken questions need not ensure the conclusion (or the error in the conclusion). It should in some way (even if something needs to be assumed) strengthen or weaken.
The assumption questions are "must be true" type, but not strengthen / weaken ones.
Option A implies that there MAY be some other reason that causes sound sleep - this is good enough to weaken the argument. (It is not required that there MUST be some other reason.)
Please excuse me, I would like to commend your last sentence. How on earth do we know that reading helps sleep? I'm not convinced with either the oa or the oe. I think it is the power of the answer maker allows him to decide that "reading helps sleep". If A is correct, then the revised version of it should correct: "People who enjoy classical music typically like to play kickboxing just before bedtime", because we (or question maker) could also decide that "Play kickboxing" helps sleep (we all know is not true in reality) base on the power of a question creator . Please point out my flaw above if possible. Thanks.
The OG states: " Answering critical reasoning questions requires no specialized knowledge of any particular field". However this does not mean that no common knowledge will be required. Many OG questions require some common knowledge to be used to answer the questions. For example: Q.11 of OG verbal guide 2nd edition requires you to know that competitive advantage of a company is associated with high sales. This knowledge, according to me, is more specialized than knowing reading, and not kick-boxing, helps sleep.
Though Option A does offer new information to claim that Listening to classical music may not be the reason for sleep and it may be due to reading, there is a scope of "may".
According to most of the question solved, if there is a scope of "may", the answer is usually some other option.
Option C, however, clearly states that "Sleeplessness is more common among people who watch late-night television than among people who do not" which means that it's not due to listening of classical music that induces sleep rather watching TV that keeps one awake.
Though Option A does offer new information to claim that Listening to classical music may not be the reason for sleep and it may be due to reading, there is a scope of "may".
According to most of the question solved, if there is a scope of "may", the answer is usually some other option.
Option C, however, clearly states that "Sleeplessness is more common among people who watch late-night television than among people who do not" which means that it's not due to listening of classical music that induces sleep rather watching TV that keeps one awake.
Your thoughts on my reasoning will be much valued
For strengthening and weakening questions, the "may" condition is sufficient. (only in assumptions and inference questions, the "must" condition is required.)
Option C strengthens a part of the inference : "...whereas watching television before bedtime has the opposite effect". It is a strengthening statement, not a weakening.
I could not understand why C is wrong Could you explain?
I think A and C are so close, they both weaken the conclusion. A states another cause whereas C states a problem about the cause <>effect relation. Both are the main right answer patterns for CR weaken questions.
I picked C. A states another reason but we do not know about the effects of reading book ( should we assume reading book is good for a quick sleep?)
However, in C, it is clearly mentioned that there is a reverse relation between cause and effect.
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43% (01:01) correct 
Could you explain?
