OG13 82 - WHY NOT B?

moontroy

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.
(0 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.

If "Several of the particle accelerators at major research institutions were out of service the year before last for repairs", it is more likely that scientists need to wait longer.
Thus, "the average time scientists must wait for access to a particle accelerator has declined" weakens the conclusion?

Thanks.

vertex顶点

这是一个argument即premise---main conclusion
premise是 accelerators可用的数目下降了
mc是： 发表的这个类型的文章变少了
需要找到一个答案，能够削弱p-mc的；如你所说的B选项：在过去几年，科学家需要等的时间减少了。如果需要等的时间减少了，那么发表这个类型的文章数目应该增加才对啊！但是现状却是文章数目减少了。反而会strenten原文的推理，即是因为可用的总数目下降了，所以即使需要等的时间减少了，总的类型还是变少了；而不是所谓的weaken（你想一下这个推理）

然而正确答案E：由于期刊不愿意发这种类型的文章，所以文章数目减小了。提供了一个其他的原因，使得原文中的原因推到出结论收到了削弱

好好思考一下看看是不是这样

moontroy

Thanks Vertex. Actually don't think this choice is able to strengthen the argument of the journalist. If choice B is rejected merely because the assumption in choice B(more access to the accelerators) can not lead to the result of the argument(fewer articles), this question is meaningless.

moontroy

vertex顶点 发表于 2013-9-27 11:01
这是一个argument即premise---main conclusion
premise是 accelerators可用的数目下降了
mc是： 发表的这个 ...

okie understand your reasoning. thanks.