Logical Reasoning

PT1 · S3 · Q15 Computer operating system software

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Computer operating system software has become increasingly standardized.

Conclusion

It is advisable for businesses with multiple linked computer systems to introduce minor variations into their operating system software.

Evidence

If a business uses identical operating systems on all computers, a vandal who reaches one computer can spread a virus to all of them.

Introducing minor variations would virtually eliminate this simultaneous-access risk, and the variations can be created without losing computer compatibility.

Evaluate

The 2nd most common pattern on Strengthen / Weaken is Plans / Recommendations.

This conclusion is making a recommendation. It isn't attached to a specific goal (like ). It's more of a generic, "You should do Y" kind of recommendation, which means we want to consider whether the Upsides > Downsides.

The argument identifies an upside (eliminating mass-virus risk) and dismisses one downside (there won't be a loss of compatibility).

Goal

We want an answer to point out another upside of this plan to introduce minor variations into the OS software, or to rule out a potential downside of doing so.

15.

Which one of the following, if true, supports the conclusion in the passage?

Standardization of computer operating system
No Impact
If anything this points to a potential downside, where creating variations within our office's operating systems might make it harder to have computer compatibility with a different business. We might email them something and they can't open it on their computer because their OS is different from the variation-OS we're using.
8% picked this
Correct
Correcting any damage resulting from
Why this is right
This adds another upside to the recommendation. The cost of introducing minor variations to prevent viruses would be less than the cost we'd pay to deal with a virus. That helps us argue that it's a net positive move. It's cost-effective in the long run.
Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
72% picked this
It is not costly for
Opposite (if anything)
It sounds like this is ruling out a downside at first, but this doesn't have any bearing on the proposed plan, because the proposed plan will still involve compatible computer operating systems.
10% picked this
There are other kinds of
Opposite
This points out a threat that our proposed solution would not solve. It's not saying that our plan to implement OS variations creates a new problem, but since it's talking about something our plan will not help, it's unappealing.
1% picked this
Not all businesses need to
No Impact
This is a very weak claim that says "at least one business doesn't need to share data among its internal computer systems". In that case, the business wouldn't need interlinked computer systems and so they wouldn't have to worry about a virus that gains access to all computers at once. So the proposed solution would have no bearing on them, because they don't even have the problem to begin with. So the business being described here wouldn't gain anything by following the author's recommendation.
8% picked this

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