Critical Reasoning

Teenagers are often priced out of the labor market by the government-mandated minimum-wage level because employers cannot afford to pay that much for extra help. Therefore, if Congress institutes a subminimum wage, a new lower legal wage for teenagers, the teenage unemployment rate, which has been rising since 1960, will no longer increase.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen when the minimum wage has risen.
-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen even when the minimum wage remained constant.
-Employers often hire extra help during holiday and warm weather seasons.
-The teenage unemployment rate rose more quickly in the 1970's than it did in the 1960's.
-The teenage unemployment rate has occasionally declined in the years since 1960.

Why not E?
OA : B

Ozlemg wrote:Teenagers are often priced out of the labor market by the government-mandated minimum-wage level because employers cannot afford to pay that much for extra help. Therefore, if Congress institutes a subminimum wage, a new lower legal wage for teenagers, the teenage unemployment rate, which has been rising since 1960, will no longer increase.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen when the minimum wage has risen.
-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen even when the minimum wage remained constant.
-Employers often hire extra help during holiday and warm weather seasons.
-The teenage unemployment rate rose more quickly in the 1970's than it did in the 1960's.
-The teenage unemployment rate has occasionally declined in the years since 1960.

Why not E?
OA : B

E: The teenage unemployment rate has occasionally declined in the years since 1960

This is just the opposite of what is inferred from the argument.
I think we are supposed to find newer points, which are not derived from the original argument.
Also occasionally does not make it the most weakening reason.

Teenagers are often priced out of the labor market by the government-mandated minimum-wage level because employers cannot afford to pay that much for extra help. Therefore, if Congress institutes a sub minimum wage, a new lower legal wage for teenagers, the teenage unemployment rate, which has been rising since 1960, will no longer increase.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen when the minimum wage has risen. opposite
-Since 1960 the teenage unemployment rate has risen even when the minimum wage remained constant.
-Employers often hire extra help during holiday and warm weather seasons. no link
-The teenage unemployment rate rose more quickly in the 1970's than it did in the 1960's.
-The teenage unemployment rate has occasionally declined in the years since 1960.

Therefore, if Congress institutes a subminimum wage, a new lower legal wage for teenagers, the teenage unemployment rate, which has been rising since 1960, will no longer increase.

E goes against the Premise.
E attacks the Premise not the conclusion.

Hope it helps!