Critical Reasoning

Guidebook writer: I have visited hotels throughout the country and have noticed that in those built before 1930 the quality of the original carpentry work is generally superior to that in hotels built afterward. Clearly carpenters working on hotels before 1930 typically worked with more skill, care, and effort than carpenters who have worked on hotels built subsequently.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the guidebook writer’s argument?
A. The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.
B. Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.
C. The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.
D. The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to fall into disuse and be demolished.
E. The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930.



Could anybody please give the reasoning behind the right answer?

IMO D

OK..

all the hotels available for inspection are those where the carpentry is good, other wise they are demolished...

so essentially author is comparing the best of the lot ( pre 1930s) and not the average...

IMO D.

Reasoning: same as ronniecoleman's.

Agree - there is no better choice than D.

However, only reason I have doubts is that author is comparing best of the lot for both pre1930 and post1930, hence it really doesn't affect anything.

ronniecoleman wrote:IMO D

OK..

all the hotels available for inspection are those where the carpentry is good, other wise they are demolished...

so essentially author is comparing the best of the lot ( pre 1930s) and not the average...

D should be it

there may be a possibility that hotels after 1930 had better quality of architecture.. but as good work is more prone to misuse the present state of the architecture is bad... which weakens the conclusion about carpenters...

Agree with ALL !! D it is

I did it thru elimination(manhattan approach)

A. The quality of original carpentry in hotels is generally far superior to the quality of original carpentry in other structures, such as houses and stores.--nothing with Stores ! Wrong
B. Hotels built since 1930 can generally accommodate more guests than those built before 1930.--nothing with accommodation and quality ! Wrong
C. The materials available to carpenters working before 1930 were not significantly different in quality from the materials available to carpenters working after 1930.nothing with materials ! Wrong
D. The better the quality of original carpentry in a building, the less likely that building is to fall into disuse and be demolished.
E. The average length of apprenticeship for carpenters has declined significantly since 1930. nothing with apprenticeship! Wrong

It seems to me that the right answer is D.