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- Thu Jun 09, 2016 1:31 pm
#26313
Complete Question Explanation
Weaken—CE. The correct answer choice is (D)
The argument states that identical twins are virtually the same genetically. The twins in the studies are genetically identical, yet are separated at birth and brought up in vastly different environments. Many of their inclinations in life are still identical, however. This suggests that the one constant between the twins, genetics, must be the cause of those inclinations:
Answer Choice (A): The radical changes in lifestyle in this answer choice are not necessarily changes to the same inclinations discussed in the stimulus. That would make this answer choice irrelevant to the argument. On the other hand, even if we assume that the radical changes here are to the same inclinations discussed in the stimulus, it is still possible that the separated identical twins experience these radical changes in a similar fashion. Since the twins are once again displaying similar characteristics, this would actually strengthen the argument by making it more likely that genetics is the cause of these characteristics. In either case, this answer choice fails to weaken the argument.
Answer Choice (B): The conclusion in the stimulus is that many of our inclinations must be genetic in origin, not that all of our inclinations are genetic in origin. This conclusion leaves open the possibility that while many inclinations are genetic in origin, some inclinations may not be genetic in origin. So, the fact that these twins have some differences is irrelevant to the argument.
Answer Choice (C): This answer choice is also irrelevant to the argument. Even though scientists cannot link the inclinations to any specific gene, these inclinations could still be the result of a genetic cause that has yet to be identified.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. In this answer choice, the twins who grow up together are still identical and so the genetic cause is still present. However, these twins show different inclinations and so the effect from the stimulus is not present. Any answer choice that presents a situation where the cause occurs yet the effect fails to occur weakens a causal argument.
Answer Choice (E): This answer choice strengthens the argument. If twins are not identical, then they don’t have the same genes and the cause is not present. Also, the fact that they also develop different beliefs, tastes, and careers suggests that they have different inclinations and so the effect from the stimulus is also not present. Any answer choice that shows a situation where the cause does not happen and the effect also does not happen strengthens a causal argument.
Weaken—CE. The correct answer choice is (D)
The argument states that identical twins are virtually the same genetically. The twins in the studies are genetically identical, yet are separated at birth and brought up in vastly different environments. Many of their inclinations in life are still identical, however. This suggests that the one constant between the twins, genetics, must be the cause of those inclinations:
- Cause
Effect
Genes 
Similar inclinations
Answer Choice (A): The radical changes in lifestyle in this answer choice are not necessarily changes to the same inclinations discussed in the stimulus. That would make this answer choice irrelevant to the argument. On the other hand, even if we assume that the radical changes here are to the same inclinations discussed in the stimulus, it is still possible that the separated identical twins experience these radical changes in a similar fashion. Since the twins are once again displaying similar characteristics, this would actually strengthen the argument by making it more likely that genetics is the cause of these characteristics. In either case, this answer choice fails to weaken the argument.
Answer Choice (B): The conclusion in the stimulus is that many of our inclinations must be genetic in origin, not that all of our inclinations are genetic in origin. This conclusion leaves open the possibility that while many inclinations are genetic in origin, some inclinations may not be genetic in origin. So, the fact that these twins have some differences is irrelevant to the argument.
Answer Choice (C): This answer choice is also irrelevant to the argument. Even though scientists cannot link the inclinations to any specific gene, these inclinations could still be the result of a genetic cause that has yet to be identified.
Answer Choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. In this answer choice, the twins who grow up together are still identical and so the genetic cause is still present. However, these twins show different inclinations and so the effect from the stimulus is not present. Any answer choice that presents a situation where the cause occurs yet the effect fails to occur weakens a causal argument.
Answer Choice (E): This answer choice strengthens the argument. If twins are not identical, then they don’t have the same genes and the cause is not present. Also, the fact that they also develop different beliefs, tastes, and careers suggests that they have different inclinations and so the effect from the stimulus is also not present. Any answer choice that shows a situation where the cause does not happen and the effect also does not happen strengthens a causal argument.