Weaken Drill Pack

Question 1

A pharmaceutical ad claims its allergy pill works in 15 minutes, citing a trial where 80 percent of users reported relief within 15 minutes.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the ad's claim?

1. A. The pill is more expensive than rival pills.
2. B. In the trial, 78 percent of users who took a sugar pill also reported relief within 15 minutes.
3. C. The pill comes in two colors.
4. D. Allergies are worse in spring.
5. E. The trial lasted only one week.

Answer: ______

Question 2

The principal argues that the new dress code reduced bullying, since reported bullying fell 30 percent after it took effect.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the principal's argument?

1. A. Students dislike the dress code.
2. B. The school also hired two new counselors and started an anti-bullying program the same semester.
3. C. Bullying is hard to measure.
4. D. The dress code applies to all grades.
5. E. Some parents support the dress code.

Answer: ______

Question 3

A candidate claims the city's crime drop proves her policing plan worked, since crime fell 25 percent during her term.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens her claim?

1. A. Her policing plan was popular with voters.
2. B. Crime fell by 25 percent or more in nearly every comparable city over the same period, regardless of policing plans.
3. C. She served two terms.
4. D. Some residents feel safer now.
5. E. Her plan cost less than expected.

Answer: ______

Question 4

A survey found that people who drink green tea daily are 40 percent less likely to catch a cold. The survey's authors conclude that drinking green tea boosts immunity.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the authors' conclusion?

1. A. Green tea contains antioxidants.
2. B. The survey relied on people's memories of how often they caught colds.
3. C. People who drink green tea daily also tend to exercise more and sleep better.
4. D. Green tea is more expensive than black tea.
5. E. The survey included 10,000 participants.

Answer: ______

Question 5

A company found that employees who work from home submit 25 percent more code each week than employees who work in the office. The CEO concludes that working from home makes employees more productive.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the CEO's conclusion?

1. A. The company's office has an open floor plan.
2. B. Only the company's most experienced engineers were allowed to work from home.
3. C. Employees who work from home report higher job satisfaction.
4. D. The company measures productivity by code submitted.
5. E. Some employees prefer working in the office.

Answer: ______

Question 6

A new energy drink claims to improve focus because it contains 200 mg of caffeine, and caffeine is known to increase alertness.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the claim?

1. A. The drink also contains a large amount of sugar.
2. B. The drink tastes better than its competitors.
3. C. Studies show that caffeine above 150 mg impairs focus in most people.
4. D. Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant in the world.
5. E. The drink is popular with college students.

Answer: ______

Question 7

The new traffic cameras will make intersections safer, because drivers slow down when they know they are being watched.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?

1. A. The cameras are expensive to install.
2. B. Drivers slow down near cameras but speed up right after, causing more rear-end collisions.
3. C. Some drivers support the cameras.
4. D. The cameras also catch red-light runners.
5. E. Intersections without cameras are also dangerous.

Answer: ______

Question 8

A tutoring company advertises that its students improve their SAT scores by an average of 150 points, so its program must be effective.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the advertised claim?

1. A. The company has been in business for ten years.
2. B. Students who do not improve tend to drop out before the final test, so their scores are never counted.
3. C. The program includes practice tests.
4. D. 150 points is a large improvement.
5. E. The tutors are experienced.

Answer: ______

Question 9

People who own dogs are happier than people who do not, so getting a dog will make you happier.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?

1. A. Dogs require daily walks.
2. B. Happier people are more likely to choose to get a dog in the first place.
3. C. Some dog owners are unhappy.
4. D. Dogs are expensive to care for.
5. E. Cats also make people happy.

Answer: ______

Question 10

Students who take notes by hand remember lectures better than students who type notes, so handwriting notes causes better memory.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the causal claim?

1. A. Typing is faster than handwriting.
2. B. Students who choose handwriting also tend to review their notes more often.
3. C. Handwriting notes takes more effort.
4. D. Many students prefer typing.
5. E. Memory improves with practice.

Answer: ______