Bedbug infestations have been a problem in major cities for years. The pesticide DDT has been found to be useful in

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BTGmoderatorDC: Moderator; Posts: 7187; Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 4:43 pmFollowed by: 23 members

by BTGmoderatorDC » Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:19 pm

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Bedbug infestations have been a problem in major cities for years. The pesticide DDT has been found to be useful in killing bedbugs. However, DDT was banned in the United States and has been replaced by weaker pesticides. Thus, there is no effective means for eradicating bedbugs in the United States.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the conclusion?

(A) Bedbugs resemble other small insects in their appearance and behavior.

(B) Bedbugs have largely been eradicated in other parts of the world.

(C) Some treatments that do not include DDT have proven effective against bedbugs in other parts of the world.

(D) Bedbugs are resistant to the types of pesticides used to treat cockroach and ant infestations.

(E) The number of bedbug infestations has risen significantly in the 21st century.

OA C

Source: Manhattan Prep

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:19 pm

deloitte247: Legendary Member; Posts: 2214; Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:22 pmFollowed by: 5 members

Re: Bedbug infestations have been a problem in major cities for years. The pesticide DDT has been found to be useful in

by deloitte247 » Sat Mar 20, 2021 12:03 am

The conclusion of this argument is that there are no effective pesticides strong enough to eradicate the infestation of bed bugs in the US. Therefore, the main concern that can weaken this argument is that there are no other effective pesticides that can eradicate bedbugs apart from DDT.

Option A - incorrect
The appearance of a bedbug and other insects doesn't help weaken the argument. It is irrelevant to the argument itself.

Option B - incorrect
Knowing that bedbugs have been successfully eradicated in other parts of the world doesn't affect the conclusion of the argument that there's no effective way of eradicating bedbugs in the US.

Option C - correct
This option states that there are other pesticides that don't contain DDT but have proven effective in eradicating bedbugs in other parts of the world. Hence, if used in the US, bedbugs can be eradicated.

So, it successfully weakens the argument that there is no effective way bedbugs can be eradicated by saying there are other means of eradicating bedbugs.

Option D - incorrect
This answer talks about some types of pesticides and also supports the conclusion that there is no means of getting rid of bedbugs.

Option E - incorrect
This choice of answer is irrelevant to the conclusion. it doesn't weaken the argument.

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