There are known cases of children developing strong opposition to drinking water. Liquids are vital for the body so some

[BTGmoderatorDC]

There are known cases of children developing strong opposition to drinking water. Liquids are vital for the body so some parents solve the problem by adding artificial flavoring to the water they give their children to drink. The artificial flavoring has a high sugar content and contains many chemical additives. Since the only other option is dehydration, sometimes even resulting in death, parents should use the artificial flavoring to prevent this from happening.

Which of the following, if true, most undermines the argument's conclusion?

A. Soda beverages are often blamed for the tendency of many children to resist drinking water.
B. Water can be made more attractive to children by the addition of a piece of citrus fruit or a fun-shaped ice cube.
C. Dehydration can be caused by excessive vomiting or may occur as a symptom of a disease.
D. The sugar in artificial flavouring is usually created from glucose, a natural source.
E. In warm climates, the chances of dehydration can be lowered by keeping perspiration to a minimum.



OA B

Source: Economist Gmat

[deloitte247]

Here, we want to find the option that best weakens/undermines the argument's conclusion.
Premise: Artificial flavoring is added to drinking water so as to make it drinkable for children that already developed strong opposition to it.

Conclusion: Parents should use artificial flavoring with drinking water to prevent impending death which, is as a result of dehydration or opposing drinking water from happening.

Option A - Incorrect
This claim proves the other way round. Soda beverages, which are also an additive enable the children to drink the water and not resist it.

Option B - Correct
Instead of using artificial flavoring which contains many chemical additives that can be harmful to the children later run, a piece of citrus fruit or fun-shaped ice cube that is more natural can be used. This claim proves a point to undermine the argument's conclusion.

Option C - Incorrect
This is wrong. According to the passage, refusal to drink the drinking water results in dehydration.

Option D - Incorrect
This claim seems to compliment the argument's conclusion rather than weakens it. It is therefore wrong.

Option E - Incorrect
This claim is not sufficient enough to debunk the argument's conclusion.

[nischalp]

IMO B
A conclusion can be weakened if an alternate cause for the situation is established.

IMO A is a trap, As we would be refuting the premise. We can never refute a premise or fact but only the conclusion.