Logical Reasoning

PT143 · S4 · Q4 In polluted industrial English

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In polluted industrial English cities during the Industrial Revolution, two plant diseases—black spot, which infects roses, and tar spot, which infects sycamore trees—disappeared.

Premise

In polluted industrial English cities during the Industrial Revolution, two plant diseases—black spot, which infects roses, and tar spot, which infects sycamore trees—disappeared.

Conclusion

It is likely that air pollution eradicated these diseases.

Evaluate

The argument mistakes correlation for causation. To strengthen this argument the correct answer should rule out an alternative cause, find another example where the cause is present and so is the effect, or find another example where the cause is absent and the effect is absent.

4.

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the reasoning above?

  1. Scientists theorize that some plants

    Weakens

    This makes it a little less likely that air pollution eradicated black spot and tar spot.

    1% picked this

  2. Certain measures help prevent infection

    Weakens

    That black spot and tar spot are difficult to eradicate makes it less likely that air pollution eradicated these diseases.

    1% picked this

  3. For many plant species, scientists

    Too Weak

    This answer does not specify which plant species.

    0% picked this

  4. Correct

    Black spot and tar spot

    Why this is right

    This is an example where the cause is absent and the effect is absent.

    Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    94% picked this

  5. Black spot and tar spot

    Weakens

    If air pollution is what caused the disappearance of black spot and tar spot, why didn’t it also eradicate other plant diseases?

    4% picked this

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