Studies have shown that specialty sports foods contain exactly the sam

Question

Studies have shown that specialty sports foods contain exactly the same nutrients in the same quantities as do common foods from the grocery store. Moreover, sports foods cost from two to three times more than regular foods. So very few athletes would buy sports foods were it not for expensive advertising campaigns.

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

(A) Sports foods are occasionally used by world-famous athletes.
(B) Many grocery stores carry sports foods alongside traditional inventories.
(C) Sports foods are easier than regular foods to carry and consume during training and competition.
(D) Regular foods contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to developing strength and endurance.
(E) Sports foods can nutritionally substitute for regular meals.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

EXPLANATION FROM Fox LSAT

The evidence here is, “Sports foods contain exactly the same **** as regular foods,” and “Sports foods cost a hell of a lot more than regular foods.” The conclusion is, “Therefore athletes only buy sports foods because of ads featuring LeBron James.”

We’re asked to weaken this argument, and that really shouldn’t be too tough. All we need is  any  reason why athletes might buy sports foods, other than the sweet LeBron James advertisements. My first idea is, “People will think you’re cool if you waste your money on unnecessary sports food items.” Who cares whether or not that’s actually true? The point is, we’re just looking for any alternate motivation to buy sports foods besides advertising.

A) Uh, I don’t think this is it. First of all, it says “occasionally,” which is very weak: “occasionally” just means “sometimes,” which might mean “almost always,” but could also mean “extremely rarely.” Also, how would anybody know LeBron sometimes has a sports food if it weren’t for the advertisement? I need an  alternate  explanation, but this seems like it might just be the  same  explanation.

B) Yeah, but why would anyone buy them? No way.

C) Oh, OK. If this is true, then it’s a good reason you might want to pay three times as much for a special sports food. I bet this is the answer.

D) This definitely doesn’t provide a reason why anyone would prefer a sports food.

E) Yeah, but why would you want to substitute if regular food has the same nutrients and costs less?

C was the only answer that provided a reason why anyone would buy a sports food, so C is our answer.

sivatx2 · Answer

(A) Sports foods are occasionally used by world-famous athletes. 
 We don't care who uses it, and this information is irrelevant to weaken the argument. Eliminate

(B) Many grocery stores carry sports foods alongside traditional inventories. 
 This information is irrelevant to the argument. Eliminate

(C) Sports foods are easier than regular foods to carry and consume during training and competition. 
 This is clear advantage why sports foods are preferred and hence weakens the argument. Keep

(D) Regular foods contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to developing strength and endurance. 
 Insufficient data( on sport food, only states about regular food). As per argument both has exactly same nutrients and hence this is invalid. Eliminate

(E) Sports foods can nutritionally substitute for regular meals. 
 This choice is a distraction. We don't care whether it is a substitute or not. It has exactly same nutrients as per the argument. There is no advantage here and hence, does not weaken. Eliminate

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

asishron29181 · Answer

Premise: Studies have shown that specialty sports foods contain exactly the same nutrients in the same quantities as do common foods from the grocery store. Moreover, sports foods cost from two to three times more than regular foods.

Conclusion: So very few athletes would buy sports foods were it not for expensive advertising campaigns.

We need to weaken the conclusion.

(A) Sports foods are occasionally used by world-famous athletes. - Irrelevant. Doesn't help us in any sense.

(B) Many grocery stores carry sports foods alongside traditional inventories. - Again another irrelevant statement.

(C) Sports foods are easier than regular foods to carry and consume during training and competition.  -Correct. This could be a reason why athletes will still prefer sports foods over regular ones.

(D) Regular foods contain vitamins and minerals that are essential to developing strength and endurance. - Incorrect. Doesn't tell us anything about the sports foods.

(E) Sports foods can nutritionally substitute for regular meals. - Incorrect. Even if sports foods were nutritionally substitute for regular ones it still doesn't say why athletes will not prefer regular ones.

IMO C

VerbalBot · Answer

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Studies have shown that specialty sports foods contain exactly the sam

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