Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of

Question

Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry. Water-based paints dry quickly and can be cleaned from the hands or clothing with water alone. It can be concluded that water based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument's conclusion?

(A) Oil-based paints release harmful fumes that are not released by water-based paints.

(B) Companies producing oil-based paints outnumber those that produce water paint by 2 to 1.

(C) Painting and decorating without professional assistance has become very popular.

(D) Walls should always be smooth and clean before fresh paint is applied.

(E) The components used in water-based paints cannot withstand high levels of moisture or direct sunlight.

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PranavVyas · Answer

Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry. Water-based paints dry quickly and can be cleaned from the hands or clothing with water alone. It can be concluded that water based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument's conclusion?

(A) Oil-based paints release harmful fumes that are not released by water-based paints.-not relatable

(B) Companies producing oil-based paints outnumber those that produce water paint by 2 to 1.- irrelevant

(C) Painting and decorating without professional assistance has become very popular. - out of scope

(D) Walls should always be smooth and clean before fresh paint is applied. - irrelevant

(E) The components used in water-based paints cannot withstand high levels of moisture or direct sunlight. - Correct

IMO-E

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UnicornAngel · Answer

IMO E

"Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry. Water-based paints dry quickly and can be cleaned from the hands or clothing with water alone. It can be concluded that water-based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints."

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument's conclusion?

Thoughts-
The argument takes an extreme stance here. It concludes that water-based paints  are always better to use  than oil based paints. To cast the most doubt on the author's conclusion, we must choose an answer option which weakens this claim.

(A) Oil-based paints release harmful fumes that are not released by water-based paints. Strengthens the author's claim. Eliminate.

(B) Companies producing oil-based paints outnumber those that produce water paint by 2 to 1. - Out of Scope

(C) Painting and decorating without professional assistance has become very popular. - Irrelevant

(D) Walls should always be smooth and clean before fresh paint is applied. - Irrelevant

(E) The components used in water-based paints cannot withstand high levels of moisture or direct sunlight. - This is the answer.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of turpentine and each coat takes a long time to dry. Water-based paints dry quickly and can be cleaned from the hands or clothing with water alone. It can be concluded that water based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the argument's conclusion?

(A) Oil-based paints release harmful fumes that are not released by water-based paints.

Incorrect.

To solve this Conclusion Weakening question, first break down the argument. The first two sentences are premises which provide factual data; the last sentence uses a conclusion word (concluded) so it's the conclusion:

Premise A: oil-based paints take long to dry and require turpentine
+
Premise B: water-based paints dry quickly and can be cleaned with water
=
Conclusion: water-based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints

Possible assumption: oil-based paints have no significant advantages over water-based paints

Weakening Data: ?

You are required to find data that weakens the conclusion that water-based paints are always better to use than oil-based paints. The correct answer could be one that exposes the argument's assumption.

This answer choice strengthens the conclusion, but you are asked to weaken it. Stating that oil-based paints give off harmful fumes just gives us another reason to believe that water-based paints are always better.

(B) Companies producing oil-based paints outnumber those that produce water paint by 2 to 1.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens the author's conclusion. The number of companies that produce each type of paint is irrelevant to our task of weakening the conclusion. Just because more companies produce oil-based paints does not mean they are better. Maybe all the companies that produce oil-based paints are failing. We need to focus on the argument, and find a statement that undermines the conclusion that water-based paints are always better to use.

(C) Painting and decorating without professional assistance has become very popular.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens the author's conclusion as knowing the popularity of do-it-yourself decoration does not help us choose between oil- and water-based paints, i.e., it does not help us undermine the conclusion.

(D) Walls should always be smooth and clean before fresh paint is applied.

Incorrect.

This answer choice neither weakens nor strengthens the author's conclusion as knowing the method of painting a wall does not help us choose between oil- and water-based paints, i.e., it does not help us undermine the conclusion.

(E) The components used in water-based paints cannot withstand high levels of moisture or direct sunlight.

This answer choice weakens the conclusion directly by providing two negative characteristics of water-based paints. Since the conclusion states that water-based paints are always better to use, by bringing forward a situation where they do not perform well (moisture, direct sunlight) we can weaken this conclusion.

Dep.deepti · Answer

Hello there,
My doubt is regarding option eWe were to weaken the argument that dry paints are better than oil based ones . (There is a "comparison" . We are required to show that the latter is "comparatively" better than the former.)

In option e , it's said that dry paints have a weakening point . It doesn't necessarily mean that oil based ones don't have those weaknesses or are better than those dry ones in that area .

I'll be very grateful to my helper .

Using oil-based paints to paint walls or furniture requires the use of

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