Summarize Argument
The stimulus only offers a set of facts, not an argument; instead, the question stem tells us to weaken the claim that the traditional treatment for flat-footedness in children is effective. This treatment, according to the stimulus, is to give flat-footed children shoes with extra support, with the goal of fostering arch development.
Notable Assumptions
The claim that the traditional treatment for flat-footedness in children is effective is based on the assumption that wearing shoes with extra support actually does improve arch development. The stimulus doesn’t provide any data to support this, so it’s just an assumption.
A
Many small children who have normal feet wear the same special shoes as those worn by flat-footed children.
This does not undermine the effectiveness of the traditional treatment. Whether or not children with normal feet also wear these special shoes doesn’t tell us anything about the effects of those shoes on arch development. This is just irrelevant.
B
Studies of flat-footed adults show that flat feet are subject to fewer stress fractures than are feet with unusually high arches.
This does not undermine the effectiveness of the traditional treatment. We’re not interested in the pros and cons of flat feet versus high arches, we’re interested in whether the treatment for flat-footedness actually works. This doesn’t help with that at all.
C
Although most children’s flat-footedness is corrected by the time the children reach puberty, some people remain flat-footed for life.
This does not undermine the effectiveness of the traditional treatment. This doesn’t tell us whether or not there’s any relationship between wearing special shoes and the improvement of flat-footedness, it’s just irrelevant.
D
Flat-footed children who do not wear the special shoes are as likely to develop natural arches as are flat-footed children who wear the special shoes.
This undermines the effectiveness of the traditional treatment by rebutting the assumption that wearing special shoes actually improves arch development. If there’s no correlation between treatment and arch development, we can’t call the treatment effective.
E
Some children who are not flat-footed have hip and lower leg bones that are rotated excessively either inward or outward.
This does not undermine the effectiveness of the traditional treatment. We’re only interested in the correction of flat-footedness, so a fact about non-flat-footed children is totally outside the domain of this question.
Environmentalist: To claim that we should let species disappear because all species eventually die out makes about as much sense as arguing that we should not spend money to find a cure for cancer because all humans are inevitably mortal.
Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
In response to the land developer’s claim that it is a waste of money attempting to preserve species that will disappear regardless of efforts, the environmentalist points out that this claim is similar to concluding we should not spend money to cure cancer because humans are mortal.
Describe Method of Reasoning
The environmentalist counters the position held by the land developer. He does this by presenting an analogous argument with an obviously indefensible conclusion.
A
clarify a dilemma that is embedded in the land developer’s argument
There is no dilemma in the land developer’s argument. The land developer does not present a situation where a difficult choice needs to be made between two or more solutions.
B
attack the character of the land developer rather than the position the land developer is taking
The environmentalist does not attack the land developer’s character. He addresses the land developer’s argument directly.
C
show that more evidence is needed to substantiate the land developer’s conclusion
The environmentalist does not state that the land developer’s argument requires more evidence. His position is that the land developer’s argument is ridiculous.
D
show that the land developer’s line of reasoning would lead to an unacceptable conclusion if applied to a different situation
The analogous situation is spending money in order to find a cure for cancer.
E
argue that there are problems that money, however judiciously spent, cannot solve
The environmentalist does not state that money cannot solve some problems.