Question

Hastings’ contracture is a disorder of the connective tissue in one or both hands,
most commonly causing loss of mobility. A survey of thousands of medical-insurance
claims found that over 30 percent of people who had one hand operated on for
Hastings' contracture underwent surgery a second time for this disorder within
three years. Clearly, therefore, a single surgical treatment of Hastings' contracture
is often ineffective at providing long-term correction of the disorder. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

• A. \( \text{Claims didn’t specify right or left hand.} \)
• B. \( \text{Surgical techniques match successful work injury treatments.} \)
• C. 90% report better mobility within a month post-surgery.
• D. \( \text{Insurance required a second opinion before surgery.} \)
• E. \( \text{Many tolerate effects rather than risk surgery.} \)

Hint:

Look for evidence of surgical benefit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Argument: 30% needing second surgery suggests single surgery is ineffective.
Step 2: Needs evidence that surgery still provides benefit.
Step 3: (C) shows most gain mobility, weakening the ineffectiveness claim.
Step 4: Others (A, B, D, E) don’t challenge the conclusion.