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- Thu Apr 14, 2016 11:14 am
#23037
Complete Question Explanation
Strengthen-CE,#%. The correct answer choice is (D)
The stimulus reports that in 1974, the speed limit was reduced to 55mph, and the rate of highway fatalities dropped 15%. The stimulus observes that over the next ten years, the highway fatality rate dropped another 25%, and concludes that the 1974 speed limit reduction saved many lives.
The stimulus assumes that in 1974, the speed limit reduction rather than other factors caused the reduction in the highway fatality rate. The stimulus also proceeds as if the speed limit reduction continued to have positive results over the next 10 years; however, there is no evidence given that the speed limit reduction was still in effect. Since you are asked to strengthen the stimulus, you need to select a response that addresses some of those concerns.
Answer choice (A): The idea that driving was cut sharply suggests that the fewer number of cars on the road may have been an important causal factor in the declining rate of highway fatalities in 1974. That weakens rather than strengthens an assumption of the argument, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): If you knew that the cause (speed limit reduction) was absent during the twelfth year, then the information that the twelfth year saw no reduction in the highway fatality rate could strengthen the assumption that speed limit reduction was the cause of lowering fatality rates. However, since you are not given what the speed limit was that 12th year, the effect of this choice on the stimulus is uncertain.
Answer choice (C): This response suggests that lifesaving equipment, rather than the speed limit reduction, may have been responsible for the decreasing rate of highway fatalities. Since that weakens the argument, this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the fatality rate for those involved in accidents is generally much lower for those driving at 55mph than for motorists driving at higher speeds, that gives more support to the causal assumption that the speed limit reduction caused the decrease in the fatality rate. Even if you think the causal implication of this choice can be convincingly disputed, you need to select this choice. Answer choices (A,C and E) all weaken the argument, and answer choice (B) is clearly incomplete. This response offers data that could support the stimulus.
Answer choice (E): This choice suggests that speed uniformity, rather than absolute speed, may be the cause of accidents. That somewhat challenges the idea that the speed limit reduction itself caused the decrease in the highway fatality rate.
Strengthen-CE,#%. The correct answer choice is (D)
The stimulus reports that in 1974, the speed limit was reduced to 55mph, and the rate of highway fatalities dropped 15%. The stimulus observes that over the next ten years, the highway fatality rate dropped another 25%, and concludes that the 1974 speed limit reduction saved many lives.
The stimulus assumes that in 1974, the speed limit reduction rather than other factors caused the reduction in the highway fatality rate. The stimulus also proceeds as if the speed limit reduction continued to have positive results over the next 10 years; however, there is no evidence given that the speed limit reduction was still in effect. Since you are asked to strengthen the stimulus, you need to select a response that addresses some of those concerns.
Answer choice (A): The idea that driving was cut sharply suggests that the fewer number of cars on the road may have been an important causal factor in the declining rate of highway fatalities in 1974. That weakens rather than strengthens an assumption of the argument, so this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (B): If you knew that the cause (speed limit reduction) was absent during the twelfth year, then the information that the twelfth year saw no reduction in the highway fatality rate could strengthen the assumption that speed limit reduction was the cause of lowering fatality rates. However, since you are not given what the speed limit was that 12th year, the effect of this choice on the stimulus is uncertain.
Answer choice (C): This response suggests that lifesaving equipment, rather than the speed limit reduction, may have been responsible for the decreasing rate of highway fatalities. Since that weakens the argument, this choice is wrong.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the fatality rate for those involved in accidents is generally much lower for those driving at 55mph than for motorists driving at higher speeds, that gives more support to the causal assumption that the speed limit reduction caused the decrease in the fatality rate. Even if you think the causal implication of this choice can be convincingly disputed, you need to select this choice. Answer choices (A,C and E) all weaken the argument, and answer choice (B) is clearly incomplete. This response offers data that could support the stimulus.
Answer choice (E): This choice suggests that speed uniformity, rather than absolute speed, may be the cause of accidents. That somewhat challenges the idea that the speed limit reduction itself caused the decrease in the highway fatality rate.