Critical Reasoning

Every year many people become ill because of airborne mold spores in their homes. After someone becomes ill, specialists are often hired to eradicate the mold. These specialists look in damp areas of the house, since mold is almost always found in places where there is substantial moisture. If one wishes to avoid mold poisoning, then, one should make sure to keep all internal plumbing in good condition to prevent leakage that could serve as a breeding ground for mold.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
a Mold itself does not create moisture.
b Most homeowners know enough about plumbing to determine whether theirs is in good condition.
c Mold cannot grow in dry areas.
d No varieties of mold are harmless.
e Mold spores cannot be filtered from the air.


Original answer follows


OA is A



Negation strategy does not seem to work here...if I said Mold CAN grow in dry areas i.e reversed..then all this moisture business is completely irrelevant...so seems like a logical choice.

I have read few answers on some forums, but not totally convinced.

Seeking some expert opinions here, on tackling such choices.

I narrowed down to the OA and C, and then chose C, using negation strategy rule.

Please please help.

I am no expert but i think i can help you with this one.

F1: People become ill because of molds every year.
F2: Specialists are hired to eradicate them
F3: They look for molds in moist areas as MOLDS ARE ALWAYS FOUND IN MOIST AREAS.
Conclusion: To avoid molds keep dry by taking care of plumbing

Assumption on which argument depends, or better if we rephrase the question, which one if true will weaken the conclusion?

Let's start POE:
B. Most homeowners know enough about plumbing to determine whether theirs is in good condition. Even if they don't know they can hire someone who knows, conclusion does not state plumbing should be performed only by homeowners. So not an answer choice which would weaken the argument.

C. Mold cannot grow in dry areas. It's stated clearly molds are always found in moist areas. Reject.
D. No varieties of mold are harmless. Even if some varieties were harmless it would not suggest why we should not take care of plumbing and keep dry, hence it does not weaken the conclusion. Out of scope.
E. Mold spores cannot be filtered from the air. Prevention is better than cure, Why let them proliferate even if they can be filtered. So its better to keep dry and take care of plumbing, does not weaken conclusion.

A. Mold itself does not create moisture. If mold itself created moisture, the whole conclusion that moist places serve as breeding ground for mold is rejected. It completely shatters the conclusion that to avoid molds you should keep dry. Hence this is correct answer.

kaps786 coderversion1 has done a good job already. ill just help you with your negation part. remember an assumption is not a "can be true statement" it is a "must be true statement"

conclusion states that moisture causes molds so if u want to not get ill avoid moisture by keeping internal plumbing in good condition.

Choice a says- mold itself doesnt create moisture.
negate it- mold itself cause moisture.
if molds are causing moisture then entire argument falls. whats the use of checking your fittings.

choice C says-molds cannot grow in dry areas.
negate it- molds can also grow in dry areas.

this negation doesnt effect the passage because the argument already states that molds are almost always found in places where there is substantial moisture.
Remember Negation technique should be used very carefully. Its very tricky at times and with a little mistake you might land up at a wrong answer. If you take my advice don't use it unless you really really need it and you are strong at it.

kaps786 wrote:Every year many people become ill because of airborne mold spores in their homes. After someone becomes ill, specialists are often hired to eradicate the mold. These specialists look in damp areas of the house, since mold is almost always found in places where there is substantial moisture. If one wishes to avoid mold poisoning, then, one should make sure to keep all internal plumbing in good condition to prevent leakage that could serve as a breeding ground for mold.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
a Mold itself does not create moisture.
b Most homeowners know enough about plumbing to determine whether theirs is in good condition.
c Mold cannot grow in dry areas.
d No varieties of mold are harmless.
e Mold spores cannot be filtered from the air.


Original answer follows


OA is A



Negation strategy does not seem to work here...if I said Mold CAN grow in dry areas i.e reversed..then all this moisture business is completely irrelevant...so seems like a logical choice.

I have read few answers on some forums, but not totally convinced.

Seeking some expert opinions here, on tackling such choices.

I narrowed down to the OA and C, and then chose C, using negation strategy rule.

Please please help.

when you use the negation strategy..always select the answer which would attack the argument when selected...in A...if the mold itself creates moisture..then the plumbing activity is useless...

However if you select C,then if mold also grows in dry areas..it would no way affect the plumbing activity as this is done for moist regions..where mold would occur any way...

IMO A is correct