This question is a BIZARRO Strengthen question so we are looking for the one answer choice that does NOT strengthen the passage. First, we must figure out whether we are dealing with a set of facts or an argument. This passage is slightly tricky because we are technically dealing with a set of facts that discusses an argument put forth by state researchers. Now, because our question stem directly refers to the state researchers conclusion--which means we will be directly dealing with their argument--we will treat this passage as an argument. Our conclusion is: "almost all of the decline has been achieved through reduced standards of living and changes in the way people spend their time." Why? Because, "State researchers have found that since the oil price increases of the 1970s, there has been a decline in home energy consumption."
Answer choice (C) is our answer because it does not strengthen: "More than 39 percent of households were able to decrease energy costs substantially by having relatively inexpensive work done to improve the efficiency of their existing heating systems." This does not strengthen the conclusion that the majority of the decline has been achieved through reduced standards of living and changes in the way people spend their time. If 39% of households found a way to inexpensively improve the already existing heating systems in their homes, then they have not reduced their standards of living, nor have they changed the way that they spend their time.
A lot of students think "strengthen EXCEPT" means the correct answer must weaken. That is not the case. Not strengthening does not mean weakening. Since this is a BIZARRO Strengthen question, all we want to find is the answer choice that either weakens or does nothing to the argument. 39% of households inexpensively fixing their existing systems does not mean that a majority of the declines have not been achieved through reduced standards of living and changes in the way people spend their time. It merely does not strengthen this conclusion, which makes it our correct answer.
Hope that was helpful! Let us know if you have any other questions.
doglvrAugust 18, 2015
Is this a cause and effect argument? I am having difficulty understanding when it is cause and effect. If this is cause and effect however, is the cause the decreased standard of living and change in how people spend their time and is the effect the decline in home energy consumption?
NazSeptember 4, 2015
Yes, you have identified the cause and effect correctly. Whenever the argument is describing an observed effect, usually we are dealing wi a cause and effect argument.
Here, however, the important thing to focus on is that we are looking for the answer choice that doesn't strengthen the cause and effect relationship.
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
