og203，不能理解B为何不行

203.
Journalist: In physics journals, the number of articles reporting the results of experiments involving particle
accelerators was lower last year than it had been in previous years. Several of the particle accelerators at major
research institutions were out of service the year before last for repairs, so it is likely that the low number of
articles was due to the decline in availability of particle accelerators.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the journalist’s argument?
(A) Every article based on experiments with particle accelerators that was submitted for publication last year
actually was published.
(B) The average time scientists must wait for access to a particle accelerator has declined over the last several
years.
(C) The number of physics journals was the same last year as in previous years.
(D) Particle accelerators can be used for more than one group of experiments in any given year.
(E) Recent changes in the editorial policies of several physics journals have decreased the likelihood that
articles concerning particle-accelerator research will be accepted for publication.

答案是E，但我看不明白为什么B不可以seriously undermines the journalist’s argument？

 argument是：it is likely that the low number of
articles was due to the decline in availability of particle accelerators

E认为 changes in the editorial policies 可以seriously undermines the journalist’s argument，这我同意，但是B提出，The average time scientists must wait for access to a particle accelerator has declined，也就是说，科学家不需要再等上那么久就可以用上particle accelerator 了，因此，the decline in availability of particle accelerators就不应该是导致the low number of
articles 的原因了。ETS的解释是，科学家既然需要等待使用仪器，说明仪器被fully used，因此支持了the journalist’s argument。

可是以前就要等待，现在等待的时间短了，反而研究文章少了？我不能理解。请大家看看。

B is out of scope.

It doesn't say whether the length has anything to do with the number of articles published.
For example, in a very popular restaurant, every day people have to stay in a long line to wait for their turn to eat dinner. Last year, on average, people had to wait for two hours; this year they only have to wait for 20 minutes. Do you think it affects the total numbers of customers the restaurant serves?  I don't think so. Hence, the average wait time has nothing to do with the number of people who eat in the restaurant each day.  By the same token, the average wait time for scientists to approach the accelerators has nothing to do with the number of articles published, unless they state that in the argument.