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Information and IdeasVery hardFinding that weakens a claim about a benefit

Information and Ideas practice question

A company claims that its standing desks improved employees' productivity, noting that output rose 10% in the six months after the desks were introduced.

Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the company's claim?

  1. A. The same six months saw the company introduce new software that automated a large part of the employees' routine work.Correct
  2. B. Employees said they liked the new desks.
  3. C. Standing desks are used in many companies.
  4. D. The desks were expensive.

Answer: A. The same six months saw the company introduce new software that automated a large part of the employees' routine work.

New software in the same period offers another explanation for the rise.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Employees said they liked the new desks.
Liking the desks supports the claim if anything.
C. Standing desks are used in many companies.
Popularity doesn't bear on this company's result.
D. The desks were expensive.
Cost is irrelevant to whether they caused the rise.

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