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Information and IdeasVery hardFinding that weakens a claim about a cause

Information and Ideas practice question

A council claims that its new recycling campaign increased the amount of glass recycled, since glass collections rose by 30% in the three months after the campaign.

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

  1. A. During those three months the council also began collecting glass from restaurants and pubs, which had previously disposed of it privately.Correct
  2. B. The campaign used posters and leaflets.
  3. C. Residents said the campaign was clear.
  4. D. Glass is collected fortnightly.

Answer: A. During those three months the council also began collecting glass from restaurants and pubs, which had previously disposed of it privately.

A new source of glass in the collections explains the rise without any change in residents' behaviour.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The campaign used posters and leaflets.
Describes the campaign, not its effect.
C. Residents said the campaign was clear.
Clarity doesn't show it changed behaviour.
D. Glass is collected fortnightly.
Frequency is irrelevant.

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