16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardApplying a principle to a claim

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 A single year's figure proves little, statistician Rosa Mendes warns: weather, one-off events, and plain chance make any year unusual in some way. Look at the trend over many years. Text 2 The council reports that road accidents fell 15% last year and credits its new speed cameras.

Based on the texts, how would Mendes most likely respond to the council's report?

  1. A. By asking to see accident figures over several years before crediting the cameras with a single year's fall.Correct
  2. B. By agreeing that the cameras caused the fall.
  3. C. By arguing that the cameras should be removed.
  4. D. By denying that accidents fell.

Answer: A. By asking to see accident figures over several years before crediting the cameras with a single year's fall.

Mendes's principle: one year proves little; look at the trend.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. By agreeing that the cameras caused the fall.
Her caution argues against that conclusion.
C. By arguing that the cameras should be removed.
Not proposed.
D. By denying that accidents fell.
The figure is not disputed.

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