Question

In the past, most children who went sledding in the winter snow in Verland used wooden sleds with runners and steering bars. Ten years ago, smooth plastic sleds became popular; they go faster than wooden sleds but are harder to steer and slow. The concern that plastic sleds are more dangerous is clearly borne out by the fact that the number of children injured while sledding was much higher last winter than it was 10 years ago. Which of the following, if true in Verland, most seriously undermines the force of the evidence cited?

• A. A few children still use traditional wooden sleds.
• B. Very few children wear any kind of protective gear, such as helmets, while sledding.
• C. Plastic sleds can be used in a much wider variety of snow conditions than wooden sleds can.
• D. Most sledding injuries occur when a sled collides with a tree, a rock, or another sled.
• E. Because the traditional wooden sleds can carry more than one rider, an accident involving a wooden sled can result in several children being injured.

Hint:

When evaluating arguments about causality, consider whether the proposed cause actually explains the observed effects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the concern.
The concern about the dangers of plastic sleds is based on an increase in the number of sledding injuries. However, if most injuries occur due to collisions with objects, not the sled type, the evidence connecting plastic sleds to higher injury rates may be less compelling.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) This doesn’t directly address the concern about the type of sled but simply reflects the continued use of wooden sleds.
- (B) While this suggests a lack of safety, it doesn’t directly undermine the link between plastic sleds and injury rates.
- (C) This suggests that plastic sleds can be used in more conditions, but doesn’t explain the increase in injuries.
- (D) This is the correct answer. If most injuries are caused by collisions with objects, rather than the type of sled, it weakens the argument that plastic sleds are inherently more dangerous.
- (E) This option discusses the number of children involved in an accident, but doesn’t directly address the cause of the injuries.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D), as it suggests that injuries are caused by factors unrelated to the type of sled.