Question

French cuisine is highly regarded all over the world. Yet in Paris there are more American restaurants selling burgers and fries (which many people now class as junk food) than there are in any other European capital city. Obviously the French are very fond of junk food, and are not too proud to eat it. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s contention? (A) There are also a larger number of Lebanese restaurants in Paris than there are in other European capital cities.
(B) French Cordon Bleu cuisine is very expensive.
(C) The number of French tourists eating in New York burger restaurants is very low.
(D) Junk food actually has high nutritional value when eaten in moderation.
(E) There are an unusually large number of American tourists in Paris who eat at burger joints.

Hint:

To weaken a claim, find an alternative explanation for the evidence (e.g., tourists, not locals, drive restaurant popularity).

Answer 1

Step 1: The author’s contention is that the French are fond of junk food, inferred from many American restaurants (e.g., burger joints) in Paris.
Step 2: To weaken this, we need evidence that the French are not the primary consumers of junk food at these restaurants.
Step 3: Option E states that American tourists, not French locals, eat at these burger joints, suggesting the restaurants cater to tourists, not French preferences, thus weakening the contention.
Step 4: Option A (Lebanese restaurants) is irrelevant to junk food consumption.
Step 5: Option B (expensive Cordon Bleu) does not address junk food preferences.
Step 6: Option C (French tourists in New York) is about behavior abroad, not in Paris, so it’s less direct.
Step 7: Option D (nutritional value) does not negate the French eating junk food.
Verification: Option E directly undermines the assumption that French people frequent American restaurants.