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Critical Reasoning
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Assumption, Strenthen-weaken Question

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Assumption Questions
What's an Assumption? An assumption is an unstated premise that supports the author's conclusion.
It's the connection between the stated premises and the conclusion. Let's consider a simple example:
The university president announced: "The cheating problem has been solved.
The university will immediately expel any student caught cheating."
What's the conclusion? "The cheating problem has been solved." Why? Because "The university will
immediately expel any student caught cheating." What's being assumed? The university president is
assuming that the threat of immediate expulsion is sufficient to solve the cheating problem. The
assumption is the missing link in the argument that connects the premises to the conclusion.

How to Approach Assumption Questions

1. Read the question.
2. Read the argument and use the Why Test to find the conclusion and the premises.
3. Answer the question in your own words. Look for a gap between the premises and conclusion.
Before you go to the answer choices, try to get a sense of what assumption is necessary to fill that
gap.
4. Analyze the answer choices and eliminate the wrong ones.

Eliminating Answer Choices on Assumption Questions

Since an assumption is an unstated connection between the stated premises and the conclusion, you
can eliminate any answer choice that goes beyond the explicit scope of the passage.
An assumption must support the conclusion that was stated in the argument. You can adapt the Why
Test to check whether the answer choice supports the conclusion. State the conclusion, then ask
"Why?" If an answer choice tells you why the conclusion is true, then it's an assumption that supports
the conclusion.
Beware of extreme language in the answer choices of assumption questions. If an answer choice is
extreme, it would most likely be a different conclusion from the one stated in the argument. In other
words, if it would have to be supported by other statements, it would not support the conclusion stated
in the passage.
Not sure? If you don't understand an answer choice, don't eliminate it! Focus on what could be wrong
with the answer choices that you do understand.
Three Types of Assumptions
There are three types of assumptions used in critical reasoning arguments; here we discuss them one
by one.
The Sampling Assumption
I heard that the professor give a great lecture today, so I'm sure that her course next semester will be
great.
Conclusion: ___________________________________________
Why? ___________________________________________
Assumption? ___________________________________________

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 What's the conclusion? The conclusion is that the professor's course next semester will be great.
Why? Because her lecture today was great.
What's being assumed? The assumption is that the professor's lecture today is representative of
the quality of the professor's course.
To spot a sampling argument, look for a conclusion that generalizes from a small sample of
evidence. Sampling arguments assume that the sample is representative (not biased).

The Analogy Assumption

I've been able to ski expert "black diamond" ski trails at ski areas in Colorado, so I will probably be
able to ski the "black diamond" ski trails at New Hampshire ski areas.
Conclusion: __________________________________________
Why? __________________________________________
Assumption? __________________________________________

What's the conclusion? "I will probably be able to ski the 'black diamond' ski trails at New
Hampshire ski areas."

Why? Because "I've been able to ski expert 'black diamond' ski trails at ski areas in Colorado."

What's being assumed? The assumption is that the expert ski trails at New Hampshire ski areas will
be similar to the expert ski trails in Colorado.

To spot arguments by analogy, look for comparisons. Arguments by analogy assume that the things
being compared are, in fact similar.

The Causal Assumption

Whenever I eat spicy foods for dinner, I have indigestion all night. Therefore, eating spicy foods
causes my indigestion.

Conclusion: __________________________________________
Why? __________________________________________
Assumption? __________________________________________

What's the conclusion? That “eating spicy foods causes my indigestion”

Why? Because “whenever I eat spicy foods for dinner, I have indigestion all night.”
What's being assumed? Causal arguments take a strict view of causality. If you argue that eating
spicy foods causes your indigestion, one assumption is that if you don't eat spicy foods, you won't
have indigestion. Also, strictly speaking, if you claim that eating spicy foods causes indigestion,
you're also assuming that nothing else is causing the problem.
To spot causal arguments, look for indicator words like "causes” "responsible for," and "due to."

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Causal arguments always assume that
1. if you remove the cause, that would remove the effect, and
2. that there is no alternative cause.

As mentioned earlier, an assumption is a piece of evidence that is not stated. It is something that the
author of the argument is taking for granted when reasoning from the stated argument to the stated
conclusion. The assumption can be made in any of the three ways we’ve just mentioned.
Here is an example of assumption question:
Example 01:
Traditionally, decision making by doctors that is carefully, deductively reasoned has been considered
preferable to intuitive decision making. However, a recent study found that senior surgeons used
intuition significantly more than did most residents or mid-level doctors. This confirms the alternative
view that intuition is actually more effective than careful, methodical reasoning.
The conclusion above is based on which of the following assumptions?
(A) Methodical, step-by-step reasoning is inappropriate for making many real-life medical decisions.
(B) Senior surgeons have the ability to use either intuitive reasoning or deductive, methodical
reasoning in making decisions.
(C) The decisions that are made by mid-level and entry-level doctors can be made as easily by using
methodical reasoning as by using intuitive reasoning.
(D) Senior surgeons use intuitive reasoning in making the majority of their decisions.
(E) Senior surgeons are more effective at decision making than are mid-level doctors.

Try it yourself before you read on.

The correct answer, E, provides a missing link in the author's reasoning by making a connection from
the evidence: that intuition is used more by senior surgeons than other, less-experienced doctors, and
the conclusion: that, therefore, intuition is more effective. None of the other choices helps bridge this
gap in the chain of reasoning. Although some of the other statements may be true, they are not
responsive to the question. In fact, they mostly focus on irrelevant factors such as appropriateness,
ease of application, ability, or whether the doctors in question use the technique in a majority of their
decisions.
Following are some other question stems that indicate assumption questions:
 The official’s conclusion logically depends on which of the following assumptions?
 The conclusion above would be more reasonably drawn if which of the following were inserted into
the argument as an additional premise?
 The argument above assumes that
 The conclusion drawn in the first sentence depends on which of the following assumptions?
 The conclusion of the above argument cannot be true unless which of the following is true?

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In the previous lesson of Critical Reasoning you have learned to recognize common assumptions,
know this: To strengthen an argument, you support the assumption; to weaken an argument,
you attack the assumption. Strengthen questions ask you to find the answer choice that provides
the best evidence to make the argument stronger. Weaken questions ask you to find the answer
choice that provides the best evidence to weaken the argument.

Here are some examples of the ways in which these questions are worded:
Strengthening:
- Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn in the passage
above?
- The argument as it is presented in the passage above would be most strengthened if which of
the following were true?
- The conclusion would be more properly drawn if it were made clear that . . .

Weakening:

- Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion drawn above?
- Which of the following, if true, would provide the strongest evidence against the above?
- Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the conclusion drawn
above?

How to Approach Strengthen & Weaken Questions

1. Read the question first.
2. Read the argument, find the conclusion, and identify the premises.
Use the Why Test.
3. Answer the question in your own words. Uncover assumptions specific to the argument.
Ask yourself if the argument makes any of the causal, sampling, or analogy assumptions.
Look for an answer choice that, if true, would support or attack the assumptions of the
argument.

4. Use the process of elimination

- First eliminate answer choices that are way outside the scope of the argument.
- If you're not sure, don't eliminate.
- For weakening and strengthening questions, don't eliminate answers that use extreme
language. Remember that you're looking for the choice that most weakens or strengthens
the argument.
- When you're down to two answer choices on strengthening and weakening questions, go
with the answer choice that uses stronger language. Stronger wording makes that choice a
better support for or a better attack on the argument.

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Strengthen the Argument Questions
To strengthen an argument, don't simply restate the conclusion; support it by adding a missing
premise or by making an assumption explicit. To strengthen, find the assumption in the
argument and support it.
Example 2:
Critics have recently questioned the authenticity of a painting. They believe that the painting
may have been executed by one of the artist's assistants. In order to determine the painting's
authenticity, its visual patterns were compared to those in five works known to have been
painted by the artist. Many patterns were examined, which displayed that the work in question
were very similar to those in the five genuine works, thereby established the authenticity of the
sixth painting.

Which of the following, if true, gives the strongest support to the conclusion above?

(A) The visual patterns displayed by different painters are not likely to be similar.
(B) Painters from different schools sometimes use the same composition and patterns of brush
strokes, but do so to achieve different effects.
(C) Many painters endeavor to change their visual patterns with each painting, so as not to
grow stale.
(D) The stock of visual patterns from which all painters draw is surprisingly limited, thereby
insuring some overlap among the patterns displayed by different artists.
(E) Composition is not a reliable indicator of a painting's authenticity.
Try it yourself before you read on.
What's the conclusion? It's that the sixth painting is authentic. Why? Because its visual patterns
were compared to those in five works known to have been painted by the artist, and the patterns
in the work in question were very similar to those in the five genuine works. What's the
assumption? It's an argument by analogy; it's assuming that if the visual patterns in artworks are
similar, then they are works by the same artist. Let's go to the answer choices. We're looking for
a choice that strengthens the analogy.
(A) This looks good. Let's make sure that the other choices are wrong.

(B) If different painters use the same patterns, that undermines the conclusion of the argument.
Since we're trying to strengthen this argument, eliminate this choice.

(C) If painters change their visual patterns with each painting, that undermines the comparison
in the argument and weakens the conclusion. Eliminate.

(D) Once again, if different painters use the same patterns, that weakens. Get rid of this choice
too.

(E) Since composition was one of the points of comparison used in the argument, if composition
is not a reliable indicator of a painting's authenticity, that would weaken the conclusion.
Remember, this is a strengthen question! The best answer is choice (A).

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Weaken the argument questions
To weaken an argument, don't attack the conclusion directly. Attack a premise or an
assumption on which the conclusion is based.
Example 3:
Medical researchers have recently suggested that candidates for heart bypass surgery actually
achieve similar benefit by adopting a regimen of increased exercise and dietary changes, if
maintained for a ten-year period. Although bypass surgery is now considered a relatively
routine procedure, it still puts the patient at risk for heart failure during, or immediately
following, the operation. Therefore, the performance of bypass surgery should be ceased.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most serious doubt on the conclusion drawn above?
(A) Patients undergoing bypass surgery can suffer aneurysms, stroke, or other potentially life-
threatening afflictions.
(B) Almost all candidates for bypass surgery are at a significant risk of suffering a heart attack
within five years.
(C) Although patients who undergo bypass surgery are often at risk for suffering heart attacks
during or after the operation, most patients survive the procedure.
(D) Since the occurrence of heart attacks during and immediately following bypass surgery is
rare, the benefits of the surgery outweigh its liabilities.
(E) A regimen of exercise and dietary changes can be undertaken at little cost, where as bypass
surgery is an expensive procedure.

Try it yourself before you read on.

What's the conclusion? It's that "the performance of bypass surgery should be ceased." Wow,
that's pretty radical! Why? Because "candidates for heart bypass surgery actually achieve similar
benefit by adopting a regimen of increased exercise and dietary changes,” and because bypass
surgery "puts the patient at risk for heart failure during, or immediately following, the
operation." What's being assumed?
You can think of this as another argument by analogy. It's assuming that changes in diet and
exercise will have similar benefits to bypass surgery, without the risks of surgery. It's also
assuming that there are no benefits to surgery that would be missing from the diet/exercise
treatment, and that there is no downside to the diet/exercise regimen comparable to the risks of
surgery. So to weaken the argument, look for some choice that gives evidence that surgery is
better or that the diet/exercise program has problems.
(A) This choice gives evidence of even more problems with bypass surgery, so it strengthens the
conclusion. We're trying to weaken, so eliminate this choice.
(B) So what? Does this give evidence that either bypass surgery or the diet/ exercise program is
better? It really doesn't have any impact on the conclusion, so eliminate it.
(C) This might be evidence that bypass surgery isn't so bad, so let's keep this choice and
consider the rest of the choices.
(D) This also seems to indicate that bypass surgery isn't so bad. Let's keep it on the first round.
(E) Cost, in the financial sense, is definitely outside the scope of this argument. So eliminate this
choice.

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Between choices (C) and (D), which weakens the argument more? What would the author of the
argument say in response to each of these choices? The author could respond to choice (C) by
saying, “The whole point of switching to the diet/exercise program is to prevent heart attacks,
not to survive them”. But if choice (D) is true, the author really can't respond, because it attacks
the assumption about the greater risks of bypass surgery. Choice (D) is a stronger attack on the
argument, so it's the best answer choice.

Class Work

Question: 01
According to the new office smoking regulations, only employees who have enclosed offices may
smoke at their desks. Virtually all employees with enclosed offices are at the professional level, and
virtually all secretarial employees lack enclosed offices. Therefore, secretaries who smoke should be
offered enclosed offices.
Which of the following is an assumption that enables the conclusion above to be properly drawn?
(A) Employees at the professional level who do not smoke should keep their enclosed offices.
(B) Employees with enclosed offices should not smoke at their desks, even though the new regulations
permit them to do so,
(C) Employees at the secretarial level should be allowed to smoke at their desks, even if they do not
have enclosed offices.
(D) The smoking regulations should allow all employees who smoke an equal opportunity to do so,
regardless of an employee's job level.
(E) The smoking regulations should provide equal protection from any hazards associated with
smoking to all employees who do not smoke.

Question: 02
A famous singer recently won a lawsuit against an advertising firm for using another singer in a
commercial to evoke the famous singer's well-known rendition of a certain song. As a result of the
lawsuit, advertising firms will stop using imitators in commercials. Therefore, advertising costs will
rise, since famous singers' services cost more than those of their imitators.
The conclusion above is based on which of the following assumptions?
(A) Most people are unable to distinguish a famous singer's rendition of a song from a good imitator's
rendition of the same song.
(B) Commercials using famous singers are usually more effective than commercials using imitators of
famous singers.
(C) The original versions of some well-known songs are unavailable for use in commercials.
(D) Advertising firms will continue to use imitators to mimic the physical mannerisms of famous
singers.
(E) The advertising industry will use well-known renditions of songs in commercials.

Question: 03
Luis has just seen two ravens; therefore, the next bird Luis sees will be a raven.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?
(A) Ravens tend to move in flocks.
(B) Luis is in California, and ravens are occasionally seen in California.
(C) Luis has seen more ravens in other places than the place where he is now.
(D) Luis is actively looking for birds.
(E) Ravens generally build their nests at a considerable distance from the nests of other ravens.

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Question: 04
Toughened hiring standards have not been the primary cause of the present staffing shortage in
public schools. The shortage of teachers is primarily caused by the fact that in recent years
teachers have not experienced any improvements in working conditions and their salaries have
not kept pace with salaries in other professions.
Which of the following, if true, would most support the claims above?
(A) Many teachers already in the profession would not have been hired under the new hiring
standards.
(B) Today more teachers are entering the profession with a higher educational level than in the
past.
(C) Some teachers have cited higher standards for hiring as a reason for the current staffing
shortage.
(D) Many teachers have cited low pay and lack of professional freedom as reasons for their
leaving the profession.
(E) Many prospective teachers have cited the new hiring standards as a reason for not entering
the profession.

Question: 05
Father: My daughter could be a star on Broadway if she could only get one big break. Why you
should see the rave reviews she received when she was the lead in her high school play.
The best way to counter the argument above would be to point out that
(A) big breaks are hard to come by on Broadway.
(B) one big break does not ensure continued success in the theatre.
(C) the standards on Broadway are much higher than they are at the high school play.
(D) fewer plays are being produced on Broadway today than in the past.
(E) relatively few aspiring actors ever become Broadway stars.

Question: 06
Which of the following contradicts the fact that “Only the intelligent become rich?
(A) Rubai was intelligent, yet he was poor in his whole life.
(B) Both “intelligent” and “rich” are relative terms.
(C) Different people are intelligent in different ways.
(D) some intelligent people do not desire to become rich.
(E) Shahin is stupid, yet he assumed a large fortune by the age of 30.

Question: 07
A program instituted in a particular state allows parents to prepay their’ children’s future
college tuition at current rates. The program then pays the tuition annually for the child at any of
the state’s public colleges in which the child enrolls. Parents should participate in the program
as a means of decreasing the cost for the children’s college education.
Which of the following, if true, is the most appropriate reason for parents not to participate in the
program?
(A) The parents are unsure about which public college in the state the child will attend.
(B) The amount of money accumulated by putting the prepayment funds in an interest bearing
account today will be greater than the total cost of tuition for any of the public colleges when
the child enrolls.

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(C) The annual cost of tuition at the state’s of public colleges is expected to increase at a faster
rate than the annual increase in cost of living.
(D) Some of the state’s public colleges are contemplating large increase in tuition next year.
(E) The prepayment plan would not cover the cost of room and board at any of the state’s public
colleges.

Question: 08
Advertisement: You cannot buy a more potent pain – reliever than ACE without a prescription.
Which of the following statement is inconsistent with the claim made by the advertisement.
i) ACE is not the least expensive non-prescription pain-reliever one can buy.
ii) Another non-prescription pain-reliever, RELIEF, is just as powerful as ACE.
iii) Some prescription pain-relievers are not as powerful as ACE.

A) I only B) II only C) I & II D) I, II & III E) None of the above

Homework

Question: 01
Traditionally, decision-making by managers that is reasoned step-by-step has been considered
preferable to intuitive decision-making. However, a recent study found that top managers used
intuition significantly more than did most middle-or lower-level managers. This confirms the
alternative view that intuition is actually more effective than careful, methodical reasoning.

The conclusion above is based on which of the following assumptions?

(A) Methodical, step-by-step reasoning is inappropriate for making many real-life management
decisions.
(B) Top managers have the ability to use either intuitive reasoning or methodical, step-by-step
reasoning in making decisions.
(C) The decisions made by middle-and lower-level managers can be made as easily by using
methodical reasoning as by using intuitive reasoning.
(D) Top managers use intuitive reasoning in making the majority of their decisions.
(E) Top managers are more effective at decision-making than middle-or lower-level managers

Question: 2
The interview is an essential part of a successful hiring program because, with it, job applicants who
have personalities that are unsuited to the requirements of the job will be eliminated from consider-
ation.
The argument above logically depends on which of the following assumptions?
(A) A hiring program will be successful if it includes interviews.
(B) The interview is a more important part of a successful hiring program than is the development of a
job description
(C) Interviewers can accurately identify applicants whose personalities are unsuited to the
requirements of the job.
(D) The only purpose of an interview is to evaluate whether job applicants personalities are suited to
the requirements of the job.
(E) The fit of job applicants’ personalities to the requirements of the job was once the most important
factor in making hiring decisions.

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Question 3:
If you present a purple pass, then you may enter the compound. If the statement above is
true,
Which of the following must also be true?
(A) If you do not present a purple pass, then you may not enter the compound
(B) If you may enter the compound, then you must have presented a purple pass
(C) If you have not entered the compound, then you did not present a purple pass
(D) All of the above
(E) None of the above.

Question 4:
If the wind is strong, kites are flown.
If the sky is not clear, kites are not flown.
If the temperature is high, kites are flown.
Assume statements above are true. If kites are flown, which of the following statements
must be true?
I. The wind is strong II. The sky is clear III. The temperature is high.
(A) I only (B) II only (C) III only
(D) I & III only (E) I, II & III only

Question: 5
It is important to teach students to use computers effectively. Therefore, students should be
taught computer programming in school.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument above?
(A) Only people who use computers effectively are skilled at computer programming.
(B) Only people skilled at computer programming use computers effectively.
(C) Some people who use computers effectively cannot write computer programs.
(D) Some schools teach computer programming more effectively than others.
(E) Most people who are able to program computers use computers effectively.

Question6:
Most consumers do not get much use out of the sports equipment they purchase. For example,
seventeen percent of the adults in the United States own jogging shoes but only forty five
percent of the owners jog more than once a year, and only seventeen- percent jog more than
once a week.
Which of the following, if true, casts most doubt on the claim that most consumers get little use out
of the sports equipment they purchase?
(A) Joggers are most susceptible to sports injuries during the first six months in which they jog.
(B) Joggers often exaggerate the frequency with which they jog in surveys designed to elicit such
information.
(C) Many consumers purchase jogging shoes for use in activities other than jogging.
(D) Consumers who take up jogging often purchase an athletic shoe that can be used in other
sports.
(E) Joggers who jog more than once a week are often active participants in other sports as well.

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Question 7:
Significant beneficial effects of smoking occur primarily in the area of mental health and the habit
originates in a search for contentment. The life expectancy of our people has increased greatly in recent
years; it is possible that the relaxation and contentment and enjoyment produced by smoking has
lengthened many lives. Smoking is beneficial.
Which of the following, if true, weaken the above conclusion?
(A) That cigarettes are a major health hazard cannot be traced to the willful act of any human or
organization.
(B) The government earns millions of dollars from the tobacco tax and tens of thousands of civilians
are employed in the tobacco industry.
(C) The evidence cited in the statement covers only on example of the effects of cigarette smoking.
(D) No mention is made of possible harmful side effects of smoking.
(E) No statistical evidence has proven a link between smoking and longevity.

Question: 8
The recent decline in the value of the dollar was triggered by a prediction of slower economic
growth in the coming year. But that prediction would not have adversely affected the dollar had
it not been for the government's huge budget deficit, which must therefore be decreased to
prevent future currency declines.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the conclusion about how to prevent
future currency declines?
(A) The government has made little attempt to reduce the budget deficit.
(B) The budget deficit has not caused a slowdown in economic growth.
(C) The value of the dollar declined .several times in the year prior to the recent prediction of
slower economic growth.
(D) Before there was a large budget deficit, predictions of slower economic growth frequently
caused declines in the dollar's value.
(E) When there is a large budget deficit, other events in addition to predictions of slower
economic growth sometimes trigger declines in currency value.

Question 9:
Robot satellites relay important communications and identify weather patterns. Because the satellites
can be repaired only in orbit astronauts are needed to repair them. Without repair, the satellites would
eventually malfunction. Therefore, space flights carrying astronauts must continue.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument above?
(A) Satellites falling from the orbit because of malfunction burn up in the atmosphere.
(B) Although Satellites are indispensable in the identification of weather patterns, weather
forecasters also make some use of computer projection to identify weather pattern
(C) The government, responding to the public pressure, has decided to cut the budget for space
flights and put more money into social welfare programs.
(D) Repair of satellites requires heavy equipment, which adds to the amount of fuel needed to
life spaceship carrying astronauts into orbit.
(E) Technical obsolesces of robot satellite makes repairing them more costly and less practical
than sending new, improved satellites into orbit.

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 Questions 10 & 11 are based on the following passage:
A Church found that their facilities were too small to accommodate the crowd for a special two-day
religious service. They receive a license to use the public park, and a public address system was
promptly installed. Citizens who were not members of that church protested the action of the Park
Department for having issued this license.

10. What is the best argument used by the church to retain its license?
(A) Wide publicity had already been made to announce the location of special service.
(B) The public address system was installed at great expense.
(C) The church was a local taxpayer.
(D) The park had been used before by religious organization for rallies, concerts, and meetings.
(E) No one would be excluded from entering the park during the service.

11. What is the best argument used by the citizens who protested the action by the Park Department?
(A) Freedom of speech was violated
(B) Citizens would be denied the enjoyment of the public park during these two days.
(C) There would be a violation of the noise – level standards.
(D) A public referendum should have been held.
(E) The town would incur expenses to clean up the Park after the two day service.

Question 12:
Only White Bear gives you al day deodorant protection and the unique white bear scent.
In this advertising claim is true, which of the following cannot also be true?
I. Red Flag deodorant gives you all-day deodorant protection
II. Open Sea deodorant is a more popular deodorant than White Bear.
III. White Bear after – shave lotion uses the White Bear scent.

(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I & III only
(E) All of the propositions could be true.

Questions 13-14 are based on the following.

The program to control the entry of illegal drugs into the country was a failure in 1987. If the program
had been successful, the wholesale price of most illegal drugs would not have dropped substantially in
1987.

13. The argument in the passage depends on which of the following assumptions?
(A) The supply of illegal drugs dropped substantially in 1987.
(B) The price paid for most illegal drugs by the average consumer did not drop substantially in
1987.
(C) Domestic production of illegal drugs increased at a higher rate than did the entry of such drugs
into the country.
(D) The wholesale price of a few illegal drugs increased substantially in 1987.
(E) A drop in demand for most illegal drugs in 1987 was not the sole cause of the drop in their
wholesale price.

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14. The argument in the passage would be most seriously weakened if it were true that
(A) in 1987 smugglers of illegal drugs, as a group, had significantly more funds at their disposal
than did the country’s customs agents
(B) domestic production of illegal drugs increased substantially in 1987
(C) the author’s statements were made in order to embarrass the officials responsible for the drug-
control program
(D) in 1987 illegal drugs entered the country by a different set of routes than they did in 1986
(E) the country’s citizens spent substantially more money on illegal drugs in 1987 than they did in
1986.

Question: 15
Recent surveys show that many people who seek medical help are under a great deal of stress.
Medical research also shows that stress can adversely affect an individual’s immune system,
which is responsible for combating many infections. Thus when a person is under stress, he or
she is more likely to become ill.
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion above?
(A) Many business that provide health insurance for their employees also provide seminars on
stress management.
(B) Many business report a significant decrease in absenteeism during periods when employees
feel pressured by management.
(C) There is a marked decrease in the number of complaints presented at college infirmaries
during vacation time.
(D) There as a marked increase in the number of illnesses treated at college infirmaries around
the time of examinations.
(E) Most people report that being in a hospital or an infirmary is a stressful situation.

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