A recent study reveals that television

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Stimulus

A recent study reveals that television advertising does not significantly affect children’s preferences for breakfast cereals. The study compared two groups of children. One group had watched no television, and the other group had watched average amounts of television the sugary cereals heavily advertised on television.

What this question is testing

Weaken

Your task

Find the choice that makes the argument's conclusion less likely to be true.

Common trap

Answers that look negative but attack a claim the argument never relied on.

Winning move

Find the assumption the argument depends on, then pick the choice that undermines it.

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The question

13.

Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens

Answer choices

Correct69% picked this
The preferences of children who do not watch television advertising are influenced by the preferences of children
Why this is right
This states that the preferences of children who don't watch TV advertising are influenced by those who do, suggesting that TV ads either directly or indirectly affect all children's preferences. This establishes a causal link between TV advertising and preferences, counter to the conclusion. It offers a different explanation for why TV-kids and non-TV kids both prefer sweet cereals. It's not just because they inherently prefer the sweet cereal. It's because ads brainwashed the TV-kids, and then those kids brainwashed the non-TV kids.
Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
69%
Weakens8% picked this
The preference for sweets is not a universal trait in humans, and can be influenced by environmental factors
This proposes that preference for sweets, which can be shaped by TV advertising, isn’t a universal trait, introducing a potential role for ads but lacks direct evidence or scope regarding specific cereal preferences in this context.
8%
No Impact10% picked this
Most of the children in the group that had watched television were already familiar with the
This mentions familiarity with ads among TV-watching children without directly affecting non-TV watchers' similar preferences, thus not offering alternate reasoning for shared preferences.
10%
Strengthens12% picked this
Both groups rejected cereals low in sugar even when these cereals were heavily
This reveals both groups rejected low-sugar cereals despite advertising, supporting the claim that advertising doesn’t influence preferences for sugary cereals, reinforcing the conclusion.
12%
Weakens (Slightly Relevant)1% picked this
Cereal preferences of adults who watch television are known to be significantly different from the cereal preferences of adults
This hints at a pattern where adult TV watchers' preferences differ from non-watchers, implying TV influence. However, it concerns adults and diverts from the specifics of the children's study.
1%

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