Logical Reasoning

PT157 · S3 · Q10 Journalist: Contrary to popular opinion

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Journalist: Contrary to popular opinion, it is more dangerous for an individual to drive during the day than during the night.

Evidence

A recent study found that in each of the last ten years, the number of traffic accidents that resulted in death was greater during the day than during the night.

Conclusion

It is more dangerous for an individual to drive during the day than during the night.

Evaluate

The evidence contains a comparison between the number of fatal traffic accidents that occur during the day and the number that occur at night. The evidence states that more fatal accidents occur during the day, but it's important to notice that this is only a correlation. Nothing in the evidence indicates what is causing more fatal accidents to occur during the day.

The evidence claims that it is more dangerous for "an individual"—meaning anyone—to drive during the day. To reach that conclusion, we need make an assumption about whatever factors are causing more fatal accidents to occur during daytime. We need to assume that those factors will affect everyone who drives during the day. But we haven't been told what is actually causing more fatal accidents to occur during daytime, so we can't be sure that those factors will affect all individuals who drive during the day.

Goal

An answer choice that strengthens the argument might describe a situation which makes driving more dangerous for everyone, but only occurs during the day, not at night.

Since this is an EXCEPT question, we will expect four of the answers to strengthen the argument. The one correct answer will not strengthen the argument. It will either weaken the argument or—more likely—not have any clear impact on the argument.

10.

Each of the following, if true, helps to strengthen the argument except:

  1. Only during the day are

    Strengthens (Opposite)

    More unsafe vehicles on the road only during the day creates a daytime-specific hazard, making daytime driving more dangerous for every individual. This strengthens the argument.

    1% picked this

  2. There is decreased law enforcement

    Strengthens (Opposite)

    Fewer police during the day means more dangerous driving behavior during daylight hours. With less enforcement, risky driving goes unchecked, increasing per-driver danger. This strengthens the argument.

    4% picked this

  3. Persons drive more cautiously during

    Strengthens (Opposite)

    More cautious nighttime driving reduces per-driver risk at night relative to during the day. This differential in driving behavior strengthens the claim that daytime driving is more dangerous.

    4% picked this

  4. Correct

    The number of travelers per

    Why this is right

    This does not strengthen the argument. More travelers per vehicle is a general trend with no stated difference between day and night. More passengers could increase fatalities per accident, but if this applies equally to both time periods, it does not make daytime driving comparatively more dangerous. Without a day-specific component, this answer has no differential impact on the argument's conclusion.

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

    91% picked this

  5. Persons drive faster during the

    Strengthens (Opposite)

    Faster daytime driving means more severe crashes during the day. Higher speeds increase stopping distances, impact forces, and reduce reaction time. This is a clear daytime-specific risk factor that strengthens the argument.

    1% picked this

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