kanha81 wrote:After observing the Earth’s weather patterns and the 11-year sunspot cycle of the Sun for 36 years, scientists have found that high levels of sunspot activity precede shifts in wind patterns that affect the Earth’s weather. One can conclude that meteorologist will be able to improve their weather forecasts based on this information.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) Weather forecasts are more detailed today than they were 36 years ago.

(B) Scientists can establish that sunspot activity directly affects the Earth’s weather.

(C) Evidence other than sunspot activity has previously enabled meteorologists to forecast the weather conditions that are predictable on the basis of sunspot activity.

(D) Scientist have not determined why the sunspot activity on the Sun follows an 11-year cycle.

(E) It has been established that predictable wind patterns yield predictable weather patterns.

Please explain.

kanha81 wrote:After observing the Earth’s weather patterns and the 11-year sunspot cycle of the Sun for 36 years, scientists have found that high levels of sunspot activity precede shifts in wind patterns that affect the Earth’s weather. One can conclude that meteorologist will be able to improve their weather forecasts based on this information.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) Weather forecasts are more detailed today than they were 36 years ago.

(B) Scientists can establish that sunspot activity directly affects the Earth’s weather.

(C) Evidence other than sunspot activity has previously enabled meteorologists to forecast the weather conditions that are predictable on the basis of sunspot activity.

(D) Scientist have not determined why the sunspot activity on the Sun follows an 11-year cycle.

(E) It has been established that predictable wind patterns yield predictable weather patterns.

Please explain.

thetrystero wrote:

kanha81 wrote:After observing the Earth’s weather patterns and the 11-year sunspot cycle of the Sun for 36 years, scientists have found that high levels of sunspot activity precede shifts in wind patterns that affect the Earth’s weather. One can conclude that meteorologist will be able to improve their weather forecasts based on this information.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) Weather forecasts are more detailed today than they were 36 years ago.

(B) Scientists can establish that sunspot activity directly affects the Earth’s weather.

(C) Evidence other than sunspot activity has previously enabled meteorologists to forecast the weather conditions that are predictable on the basis of sunspot activity.

(D) Scientist have not determined why the sunspot activity on the Sun follows an 11-year cycle.

(E) It has been established that predictable wind patterns yield predictable weather patterns.

Please explain.

My choice: I could not find one.

sunspot activity -> wind patterns -> weather patterns.
We know that sunspot activity affects wind patterns somehow and that that somehow affects weather patterns. However, forecasting requires some sense about _how_ the patterns are being affected, and not just that they are. A,B,E all strengthens the argument while D is out of scope. I would probably pick C on the exam since it isn't obviously wrong at first glance, but I'm not quite sure how it fits.

thetrystero wrote:

kanha81 wrote:After observing the Earth’s weather patterns and the 11-year sunspot cycle of the Sun for 36 years, scientists have found that high levels of sunspot activity precede shifts in wind patterns that affect the Earth’s weather. One can conclude that meteorologist will be able to improve their weather forecasts based on this information.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

(A) Weather forecasts are more detailed today than they were 36 years ago.

(B) Scientists can establish that sunspot activity directly affects the Earth’s weather.

(C) Evidence other than sunspot activity has previously enabled meteorologists to forecast the weather conditions that are predictable on the basis of sunspot activity.

(D) Scientist have not determined why the sunspot activity on the Sun follows an 11-year cycle.

(E) It has been established that predictable wind patterns yield predictable weather patterns.

Please explain.

My choice: I could not find one.

sunspot activity -> wind patterns -> weather patterns.
We know that sunspot activity affects wind patterns somehow and that that somehow affects weather patterns. However, forecasting requires some sense about _how_ the patterns are being affected, and not just that they are. A,B,E all strengthens the argument while D is out of scope.

thetrystero wrote:I would probably pick C on the exam since it isn't obviously wrong at first glance, but I'm not quite sure how it fits.