Information and IdeasVery hardFinding that weakens a claim about a cause
Information and Ideas practice question
A newspaper claims that the new speed cameras on the ring road are responsible for the 30% drop in accidents there this year.
Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the newspaper's claim?
- A. Accidents on the city's other main roads, which have no cameras, also fell by about 30% this year, after a wet and icy previous year.Correct
- B. The cameras were installed in January.
- C. Drivers say they slow down for the cameras.
- D. The ring road carries the city's heaviest traffic.
Answer: A. Accidents on the city's other main roads, which have no cameras, also fell by about 30% this year, after a wet and icy previous year.
If roads without cameras fell just as much, the cameras aren't needed to explain the drop.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The cameras were installed in January.
- Timing is consistent with the claim.
- C. Drivers say they slow down for the cameras.
- Slowing down supports the claim.
- D. The ring road carries the city's heaviest traffic.
- Traffic volume doesn't bear on the cause of the drop.
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