Some people believe that high optimism in some individuals is due to genetic and cultural practices alone. However, studies from many countries indicate a strong correlation between high optimism and high educational levels. Thus research supports the view that high optimism is largely due to the result of making informed choices.
The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument
A. presumes, without providing justification that only highly educated people make informed choices
B. overlooks the possibility that people who make informed choices may nonetheless suffer from inherited vices
C. presumes, without providing justification, that informed choices are available to everyone
D. overlooks the possibility that the some factors other than genetics and culture may causally contribute both to education and to high optimism
E. does not acknowledge that some people who fail to make informed choices exude high optimism
OA: D
OE:
(A) The culprit word is “only”. To polarize that only highly educated people exhibit high optimism is too radical and extreme thinking.
(B) The author specifically ignores the negative aspect of human characteristics such as inherited vices, which are unrestrainable in spite of educational levels
(C) Availability of certain factors is not discussed in the stimulus. The author simply correlates two factors.
(D) This is the correct answer. An outside element can cause the same effect; say for example working in a high-profile company such as Google or Microsoft... It is the third element which is the cause of the acquired habit
(E) The author specifically says that the effect is largely the result of the cause, and some people may still be oozing high optimism in spite of low education. So this answer goes against the grain of the argument.
Narrowed to B and D.
d-critic tone. criticize argument as a whole.