Сыни ойлау14 мин
Weakening and Strengthening
Pick the choice that most directly attacks (or supports) the inference, not the topic at large.
01
Target the inference
A weakener doesn't disprove the topic — it shows the **specific** inference is unsafe. A strengthener seals a gap.
- Look for alternative explanations for the same data.
- Check whether the sample is representative.
- Watch for hidden assumptions that the answer attacks/supports.
02
Ranking candidate answers
- Strikes a key assumption directly → strongest weakener.
- Provides an alternative cause → strong weakener.
- Adds a new but unrelated fact → no effect.
- Strengthens? Reverse the same scale.
Жаттығу
Argument: ‘City’s health programme cut obesity by 5%.’ Which weakens most? (a) Programme is expensive. (b) Obesity rates fell similarly in cities without the programme.
Жауап пен түсініктемені көру
Жауап: (b) — provides an alternative cause for the drop.
(a) is irrelevant to the causal claim.