Critical Reasoning

Market Analyst: Recent research confirms that the main cause of bad breath is bacteria build-up on the tongue. The research also concludes that tongue scrapers, when used properly, can eliminate up to 40% of the bacteria from the tongue. As the effectiveness of tongue scrapers becomes more widely known, the market for less effective breath freshening products, such as mints, gums, and sprays, will decline significantly.



Which of the following provides the best evidence that the analyst’s argument is flawed?


Some breath freshening products are advertised to eliminate up to 30% of the bacteria from the tongue.


Tongue scrapers have already been on the market for a number of years.


Many dentists recommend regular flossing, and not the use of the tongue scraper, to combat bad breath.


A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper.


Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.


I opted for E

IMO D
This is very confusing though-
I chose D because the conclusion states that if people know about tongue scrapers they will not buy breath freshing products.
So, it will weaken the argument if the people already knows about the tongue scrapers. OA?

I would say 'D' too.

'E' can be eliminated too due to the word 'Some', which cannot be considered to be STRONG enough

IMO D for same reason as SYim

imo D

D for the same reasons as above.
would be happy to learn from the OA.

(D)

one more D

D for me too

i agree with D too

i agree with D too

D is the right one

D says that even though people are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue cleaners there still is a market for other products. SO raising awareness of the same wont affect the marketability of the other products such as gums, freshners etc

Lets look at option E first

E: Some people buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.

Say there are 100 people, out of which 5 buy breath freshening products for reasons other than to fight bad breath.

The remaining 95 people would still buy breath freshening products to fight bad breath. So does this describe a flaw in the argument? No. Because we still don't know how those 95 people are reacting to the awareness. So this option is irrelevant.

D: A recent survey shows that 94% of those who regularly purchase breath freshening products are aware of the effectiveness of the tongue scraper.

From those 95 people who purchase breath freshening products 94% are aware of how effective TS are. (approx 89 people).
Now these 89 people have been using breath freshening products regularly and are not affected by how effective TS are. So the market of breath freshening products will not decline significantly. Hence this weakens the conclusion.

Wonderful explanation Mals24 !

1 more for D....OA pls