Multiple choice

Directions: The following passage is followed by a question with five options. Choose the best option.

A study published by the Department of Education shows that children in the central parts of cities lag far behind students in the suburbs and the rural areas, in reading skills. The report blamed this differential on the overcrowding in the classrooms of city schools. I maintain, however, that the real reason that city children are poorer readers than non-city children is that they do not get enough fresh air and sunshine.

Which of the following would LEAST strengthen the author's point in the argument above?

  1. Medical research showing a correlation between air pollution and learning disabilities.

  2. A report by educational experts demonstrating that there is no relationship between the number of students in a classroom and a student's ability to read.

  3. A notice released by the Department of Education retracting that part of their report which mentioned over-crowding as the reason for the differential.

  4. A proposal by the federal government to fund emergency programs to hire more teachers for central city schools in an attempt to reduce overcrowding in the classrooms.

  5. Another study with findings almost contrary to the aforesaid study.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The question stem asks us to find the one item, which will not strengthen the author's argument. That is (4). Remember, the author's argument is an attempt (to be sure, a weak one) to develop an alternative causal explanation. (1) would provide some evidence that the author's claim - which at first glance seems a bit farfetched - actually has some empirical foundation. While (2) does not add any strength to the author's own explanation of the phenomenon being studied, it does strengthen the author's overall position by undermining the explanation given in the report. (3) strengthens the author's position for the same reason that (2) does: It weakens the position he is attacking.

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