Correct Answer: B. Whether the children that participated in the survey would testify to the same behavior after school hours
The argument concludes that the sports association's prediction was inaccurate because a survey showed that many children who now spend more time on computer games have not reduced their tennis activity. However, the survey is based on school activities only. The flaw here is that school-time behavior may not reflect total behavior, especially since kids often play both video games and sports outside of school hours.
To evaluate this argument properly, we need to know whether the survey's findings about school-time tennis reflect what happens overall, particularly after school, when kids are more likely to play video games. If kids are playing more video games and still playing tennis at school but not doing so after school, the concern of the sports association may still be valid. Therefore, (B) directly tests whether the evidence used in the argument is representative.
Elimination:
A. "Whether there is evidence of other sports or physical activities not being affected by the increased popularity of computer games"
– This talks about other sports, but the argument is specifically about tennis. It’s irrelevant to the claim being tested.
C. "Whether sports associations are interested in the well-being of children or simply see them for their value as budding consumers"
– This is about the motivation of the association, not the accuracy of their prediction. Off-topic.
D. "Whether there is any support for the suggestion of a direct relation between computer games and violence in children"
– Completely unrelated. The argument is about time spent on tennis, not behavior or aggression.
E. "Whether there were similar surveys that were conducted on adults as well"
– The prediction and the evidence are about children. Adult surveys are irrelevant here.
Therefore, (B) is the only option that helps assess whether the argument's conclusion is based on a complete and representative set of data.
Bunuel
Three years ago, a sports association announced its concern that an increase in the popularity of computer games would lead to a drop in the amount of time that children spent playing tennis. Clearly this prediction was inaccurate since a survey about kids activities at schools shows that many children who are spending more time playing computer games than before have not cut down on their tennis.
Which of the following would it be most useful to establish in order to evaluate the argument?
A. Whether there is evidence of other sports or physical activities not being affected by the increased popularity of computer games
B. Whether the children that participated in the survey would testify to the same behavior after school hours
C. Whether sports associations are interested in the well-being of children or simply see them for their value as budding consumers
D. Whether there is any support for the suggestion of a direct relation between computer games and violence in children
E. Whether there were similar surveys that were conducted on adults as well