A survey was recently conducted

Answer choices

1. A

   No Impact2% picked this

   Given rough enough weather, most ferry passengers will have some symptoms

   The assertion that rough weather affects most passengers doesn't offer an alternate explanation for the correlation between taking the medication and experiencing symptoms. And it doesn't argue that the medication is helpful.

   2%
2. B

   No Impact1% picked this

   The clinical tests reported by the drug companies were conducted by the

   Whether the clinical tests were conducted by the drug companies' staffs doesn't directly address why those who took the medication reported more symptoms. It doesn't provide an alternate explanation for the survey results.

   1%
3. C

   Strengthens (if anything)2% picked this

   People who do not take anti-seasickness medication are just as likely to respond to a survey on seasickness

   By reassuring us that there isn't a self-selection bias in terms of the survey, we're boosting the credibility of the evidence.

   2%
4. D

   Correct92% picked this

   The seasickness symptoms of the people who took anti-seasickness medication would have been more severe had they

   Why this is right

   If people's symptoms would have been more severe without the medication, it means the medication had a positive effect, even if it wasn't completely effective. This weakens the conclusion that people are better off not taking the medication by suggesting the medication actually does help to some degree. It doesn't quite give us the classic "Reverse Causality" idea that "it's because these people get seasick that they took the meds". Instead it gives us the classic objection to an Anti-Causal argument. The author says, "Look these meds are crap. These people using them are feeling seasick!", and we respond, it would be even worse without them.

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

   92%
5. E

   Opposite (if anything)2% picked this

   People who have spent money on anti-seasickness medication are less likely to admit symptoms of seasickness than

   If we found out that people who spent money on medication might overreport symptoms, then that could be an alternate explanation for the correlation between taking meds and reporting symptoms. But this is saying, in reality the people who took the anti-seasickness meds were even worse than what was reported. So this would help the author, if anything.

   2%