Following the introduction of mobile phones last year, the number of a

Question

Following the introduction of mobile phones last year, the number of automobile accidents has increased. Talking on the mobile phone distracts the driver and hence causes accidents. 
All of the following could be used to weaken the above argument, except:

A. The number of cars has increased the last year
B. Radio stations have broadcast more interesting programs in the last year, which distract drivers
C. Due to poor maintenance, the road conditions have worsened over the last year
D. Most of the mobile phones were sold to people who spend at least 4 hours on the road everyday.
E. Most mobile owners travel in chauffeur driven vehicles.

(I chose C.) The explaination in 800score is very confusing for me on why 'D' is the option. 
Does this mean that 'D' is a strengthener for the argument hence an 'EXCEPT' option?

Look forward to some guidance on this. Thanks!

Kurtosis · Answer

This is a weaken except question. You should find an answer choice that does not weaken the conclusion. The answer choice may not be a strengthener.

Conclusion: Talking on mobile phone distracts driver and leads to accident

A. The number of cars has increased the last year - Incorrect - States an alternate cause for the accident, weakening the conclusion
B. Radio stations have broadcast more interesting programs in the last year, which distract drivers - Incorrect - Same reasoning as A
C. Due to poor maintenance, the road conditions have worsened over the last year - Incorrect - Same reasoning as A
D. Most of the mobile phones were sold to people who spend at least 4 hours on the road everyday. - Correct - This strengthens the conclusion
E. Most mobile owners travel in chauffeur driven vehicles. - Incorrect - Weakens the conclusion by stating that mobile owners do not drive.

Answer: D

chetan2u · Answer

No, it does not mean D is strengthener. D may be not doing anything at all to the argument..

The argument claims that with the increase in movile phones, the automobile accidents too have increased and thus attributes this increase in accidents to usage of mobile..

we have to weaken this. It can be generally done in two ways-
1) Finding some OTHER causes of accidents.
2) Showing that mobile is not responsible..

Lets see the choices-

A. The number of cars has increased the last year.
 Alternate reason- Increase in # of cars

B. Radio stations have broadcast more interesting programs in the last year, which distract drivers
 again alternate reason - radio stations programs

C. Due to poor maintenance, the road conditions have worsened over the last year
 again alternate reason - road conditions

D. Most of the mobile phones were sold to people who spend at least 4 hours on the road everyday.
 does not weaken, and may actually strengthen the argument..

E. Most mobile owners travel in chauffeur driven vehicles.
 Disconnects the driving from using mobile

D is correct here and actually strengthens the argument BUT it may not be everytime that it has to be a strengthener, it could just be playing a passive role

gmat1393 · Answer

Hey  nightblade354

Kindly move the highlighted section into spoiler

Thanks!

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

Objective: To find ONE answer choice that DOES NOT WEAKEN the link between mobile phones and increased number of accidents 
 
A. The number of cars has increased the last year  -  (A) provides another reason why the number of accidents have increased. Hence, (A) weakens the conclusion.   
B. Radio stations have broadcast more interesting programs in the last year, which distract drivers  -  directly weakens the conclusion.  
 C. Due to poor maintenance, the road conditions have worsened over the last year  -  weakens the conclusion 
 D. Most of the mobile phones were sold to people who spend at least 4 hours on the road everyday. - what if these people are among the safest drivers out there? what if these people never lay their hands on their phone for the entire duration that they drive? (D) therefore does not weaken the conclusion. Hence,  (D) is the right answer to this EXCEPT question .  
 E. Most mobile owners travel in chauffeur driven vehicles.  -  weakens the conclusion

Following the introduction of mobile phones last year, the number of a

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Following the introduction of mobile phones last year, the number of a

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