Question

The number of articles concerning the use of sensatorium dummies in crash testing published last year in consumer magazines was considerably less than in prior years. No longer manufactured, these dummies can be severely damaged in crash tests, and many of the sensatorium dummies damaged two years ago are still awaiting necessary repairs. It is clear, therefore, that the lower number of consumer magazine articles published last year about sensatorium dummies was due to the decline in their availability for use.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the news reporter's argument?
(A) All articles about crash tests involving sensatorium dummies that were submitted for publication last year were published.(B) The average time that crash test managers must wait to use a sensatorium dummy has increased over the past few years.(C) The number of consumer magazines on the market was the same last year as in prior years.(D) Sensatorium dummies cannot be utilized for more than one cycle of crash tests in a given year.(E) Responding to competition, most consumer magazines began last year by introducing a new format limiting their former emphasis on crash test articles.

Answer 1

E). Responding to competition, most consumer magazines began last year by introducing a new format limiting their former emphasis on crash test articles.

Step-by-step explanation:

As per the question, option E displays the argument that would most probably weaken the given argument(if true). The given argument clearly asserts that the key cause for decline in publishing of consumer magazine article is 'the availability of sensatorium dummies' which could be enfeebled by presenting an alternative cause for the effect(as given above) which targets the author's assumption(if true) and makes the reader question the reliability of the claim. Thus, option E is the correct answer.