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Information and IdeasVery hardFinding that weakens a claim about a cause

Information and Ideas practice question

A shop claims that its new window display doubled sales of the featured coat in the week it was installed.

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

  1. A. The same week, the coat's manufacturer ran a national television advertisement, and sales of the coat doubled at shops with no window display.Correct
  2. B. The display was designed by a professional.
  3. C. Passers-by stopped to look at the display.
  4. D. The coat is available in three colours.

Answer: A. The same week, the coat's manufacturer ran a national television advertisement, and sales of the coat doubled at shops with no window display.

Sales doubled everywhere because of the advert; the display isn't needed to explain it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The display was designed by a professional.
Design quality doesn't bear on cause.
C. Passers-by stopped to look at the display.
Supports the claim, if anything.
D. The coat is available in three colours.
Irrelevant.

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