StrengthenDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: New planes use delicate electronics that are easily disrupted, and since one plane malfunctioned right when a laptop was turned on, passenger gadgets must be a danger.
Conclusion: Electronic devices carried by passengers, such as laptops, are endangering modern aircraft navigation systems.
Reasoning: Modern systems use low-power circuitry that is more sensitive to interference, and a specific instance occurred where a plane veered off course exactly when a passenger used a laptop.
Analysis: The argument relies on a single anecdotal correlation to make a broad claim about safety risks. To strengthen this, we would want evidence that the laptop actually emitted signals capable of interference or that this phenomenon has happened multiple times. Because this is a 'Strengthen LEAST' question, four of the options will provide support for the link between devices and navigation risk. The correct answer will be the one that either has no impact on the argument or potentially even raises doubts about the causal connection.
Conclusion: Electronic devices carried by passengers, such as laptops, are endangering modern aircraft navigation systems.
Reasoning: Modern systems use low-power circuitry that is more sensitive to interference, and a specific instance occurred where a plane veered off course exactly when a passenger used a laptop.
Analysis: The argument relies on a single anecdotal correlation to make a broad claim about safety risks. To strengthen this, we would want evidence that the laptop actually emitted signals capable of interference or that this phenomenon has happened multiple times. Because this is a 'Strengthen LEAST' question, four of the options will provide support for the link between devices and navigation risk. The correct answer will be the one that either has no impact on the argument or potentially even raises doubts about the causal connection.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage26.Which one of the following, if true, LEAST strengthens the argument above?
Correct Answer
E
Saying planes got low-power circuitry around the same time portable devices became popular is just a coincidence in timing. It doesn’t show that devices interfere with navigation systems or that the observed incident was caused by the laptop. It’s at best neutral and possibly suggests confounding, so it least strengthens the argument.
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