Logical reasoning PrepTest 142 · Section 4 · Question 24

Incorrect. Yes, but it might be easier for most people to get them through a supplement. Additionally, the supplement might have those nutrients at a higher level, thus enhancing the effects. In any case, this answer doesn't undermine the claim that Activite works—even if you can get the nutrients elsewhere, they could still work in the supplement.

Incorrect. Even if it's more expensive, it still might work, and so this doesn't undermine the argument. If the conclusion were about value or whether one should buy Activite, then this answer might be worth considering.

Incorrect. This might undermine an argument concluding that the free-month plan is a good idea, but it doesn't weaken an argument about the supplement's effectiveness. Additionally, this answer establishes only that it's not fully effective after a month—it could reach 95% effectiveness by then.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Claim Ð Activate promotes energy and alertness
Offer Ð You can get a free 1-month supply!
Since it wouldn't make sense to offer that if it didn't work, it must work.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion here is that Activate must be effective. Why? Because the company offers a free trial of the product, and they wouldn't do that if it didn't work.

In order to weaken that argument, we should look for an answer that suggests another reason that they might offer the free trial even if it didn't work. For example, maybe they take payment information and subscribe you to the product, hoping that you'll forget to cancel before month 2. Any such reason to offer a free trial for a product that doesn't work would weaken this argument.

Answer Explanation:
This answer provides an alternative reason that a company would offer a free trial other than demonstrating that their product works. If they make money off of each free trial, that's a motive to get people to sign up. In raising up a motive for the company to offer a free trial other than proving its product's effectiveness, this answer weakens the argument.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument assumes that there's only one potential explanation for a phenomenon (here, convincing people their product works is the only explanation for why a company would offer a free trial), then the correct answer will likely deal with an alternative reason.

Incorrect. First, side effects are out of scope—if it works, it works, even if it has some downsides. Second, this answer establishes that Activite might have side effects, which wouldn't be enough to have an impact on most arguments.