Logical reasoning PrepTest 144 · Section 4 · Question 23

Incorrect. The argument is about whether the new recycling program will be more cost effective than the old one, so how it compares to trash disposal is unrelated.

Incorrect. Since the Editor's conclusion is that the argument saying the new program is cost effective is absurd, anything that points out that it won't be cost effective is more likely to strengthen the argument.

Incorrect. Even if the pickup takes less time, there would be twice as many of them. In order to undermine this argument, it would have to be shown that the combined time for two weekly pickups is less than the time it takes for a single pickup every other week. In short, this answer doesn't weaken the argument because it's comparing apples to oranges (or, at least, half apples).

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Old recycling program Ð Every other week, too expensive
New recycling program Ð Every week
City Ð The greater the volume of recyclables, the greater revenue from selling them, so the new program will be more cost effective
Editor Ð People will recycle the same, just with more pickups, so the City's argument is absurd

Answer Anticipation:

Answer Explanation:
While not the strongest correct answer that's ever been written, this answer does call into question whether the city's argument is absurd. If it's easier to follow and adhere to the new plan, then people may recycle more than they already do, thus supporting the opposing point—and undermining the Editor's.

Key Takeaway:
This question is a bit of an outlier as far as how directly the correct answer goes after a premise in the argument, so don't take too much away from it. For the most part, premises are accepted as true and we should weaken their connection to the conclusion, not the premise itself.

Incorrect. A significant increase in the cost of collection for the new program plays into the Editor's argument that it's absurd to think it'll be cost effective.