Logical Reasoning

PT5 · S1 · Q5 Recently, highly skilled workers in Eastern

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Recently, highly skilled workers in Eastern Europe have left jobs in record numbers to emigrate to the West.

Conclusion (therefore likely)

Skilled workers who remain in Eastern Europe are in high demand in their home countries.

Evidence

Highly skilled workers in Eastern Europe have left jobs in record numbers to emigrate to the West.

Evaluate

The argument posits that because many highly skilled workers are leaving Eastern Europe to move to the West, those skilled workers who stay behind must be in high demand. This suggests a scarcity of skilled workers leading to increased demand for those remaining. To weaken this argument, we would want to show evidence that undermines the claim that the remaining skilled workers are necessarily in high demand. We could show that the economic landscape no longer requires as many skilled workers, or that there are other factors preventing high demand for the remaining skilled workers.

Goal

To weaken this argument, we should find an answer that suggests either there is not a demand for skilled workers, despite their emigration, or that the skilled jobs are not as available or needed as the argument assumes.

5.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

  1. Eastern European factories prefer to

    No Impact

    The preference of Eastern European factories for hiring workers from within the country doesn't address the overall demand for skilled workers. This claim does not weaken the argument that remaining skilled workers are in high demand.

    2% picked this

  2. Correct

    Major changes in Eastern European

    Why this is right

    This suggests that the structures within Eastern Europe have changed, leading to the elimination of positions that skilled workers would typically fill. If many positions no longer exist, it weakly implies there may not be high demand for the remaining skilled workers, as jobs for them could be diminishing alongside emigration.

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

    80% picked this

  3. Many Eastern European emigrants need

    No Impact

    Whether many Eastern European emigrants need to acquire new skills after moving doesn't address the demand for the workers who remained behind. This detail is irrelevant to the argument about demand within Eastern Europe.

    2% picked this

  4. Eastern European countries plan to

    No Impact

    While planning to train new workers could impact future demand, it doesn't address the current situation. The argument is about the current demand for remaining skilled workers, not the potential future supply of skilled labor.

    11% picked this

  5. Because of the departure of

    Opposite Impact

    This choice actually supports the argument rather than weakens it. If many positions are unfilled due to emigration, it suggests that there would be high demand for the skilled workers who stay, as they would be needed to fill these gaps.

    5% picked this

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